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Samhain Publishing, Ltd.
577 Mulberry Street, Suite 1520
Macon GA 31201
True Blue Love
Copyright © 2008 by Melissa Lopez
ISBN: 978-1-60504-275-6
Edited by Lindsey McGurk
Cover by Anne Cain
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First Samhain Publishing, Ltd. electronic publication: December 2008
True Blue Love
To the heroes in my life. Mom and Dad, neither of you ever failed to be there when I needed you. You didn't have to love a blind child unconditionally, let alone raise her as a sighted child. You two were the greatest gifts any child could ever want. Daddy, I sure wish you were with us to read this. Words can't express how much you are missed.
Big thanks goes to Melody Baldwin for always answering my medical questions. And I want to give a special thanks to small plane pilots Paul Murray and Jeff Garland. Your time and insight was greatly appreciated.
In flight Australia.
No losing your temper on a birdie, mate.
Miller's skull started to thump. He pinched the bridge of his nose in an attempt to relieve the headache coming on.
A glance at his watch told him they had just over two hours of flight time left. Teach him to ever fly commercial again. He hated not being able to stop when he bloody well felt like it.
Since boarding, he'd wanted off. Unfortunately, one of the most irritating blokes he'd ever met sat two seats away.
He shifted once more. Even in first class, the seat was a snug fit. Or maybe it wouldn't be if he could forget he sat beside one of the world's true beauties. Since leaving Sydney, he'd lost count of how many glances he'd stolen of the Yank.
Every time she'd gotten up he'd gotten an eyeful. She was something to gaze upon. A lot of long, blue-black hair framed her face. A time or two, a gray eye had flashed his way, putting him in mind of a stormy sky. He didn't mind getting lost in the sky. Any sky.
She'd tried to talk to him a time or two. Now he regretted not pursuing a conversation. The attention had left him tongue-tied. Hell, talking wasn't a special strength of his. Now, orders he could give. His father had taught him that much.
Never in his bloody life had he ever been so aware of a woman before. He wiped his sweaty palms on his pants. Did his best to ignore the lust she invoked.
Their arms brushed. Another thrill heated his blood. He swallowed. Every time their bodies connected, a jolt went through him. He wasn't able to get used to the instant turn-on. The constant arousal she provoked.
"I'm sorry." The Yank attempted to shrink in the chair.
"No worries, sheila." He placed his elbow on the arm of the chair on the aisle and braced his chin on his fist. Still, he felt the warmth of her body.
"Plenty of room my way." The drunken whacker on the woman's other side patted the chair arm.
Again, the woman ignored the man.
Miller had never wanted to put his fist down a stranger's cakehole as much as he did this bloke's. The man had been nothing but loud and obnoxious. Earlier, he'd started an argument with another first-class passenger over American football.
What annoyed Miller most---from time to time, he'd made a pass at the beauty between them.
"No need to be shy..." Again, the bloke patted his chair's arm.
Miller clenched his teeth.
"Excuse me, please." The beauty stood to get around him. This wasn't the first time she'd left her seat. Again he got an eyeful of her rounded arse. He'd look his fill this time around. Wouldn't close his eyes when he noted her returning.
Miller tried to move his knees out of the way. Admittedly, as a big man it wasn't easy. But he did what he could to allow her to pass by.
The plane hit turbulence, and the Yank landed in his lap.
The seatbelt sign came on.
He grunted as the aircraft hit another air pocket, and she bounced on his thighs. He inhaled her light scent. Christ, she had a mass of jet black hair. The semi-erection he'd been struggling with won. His prick stiffened as her soft body lingered against his.
"Oh." She scrambled up. "I'm so sorry."
To keep her balanced, he grasped one of her arms as the plane went through another patch of rough sky. A stronger wave of arousal awoke deep inside him. A current of which he'd never experienced the likes of before.
Stormy gray eyes attempted to swallow him whole.
This time he didn't look away. His breath rushed from his lungs as he got his first real look at her. From her profile, he'd liked what he'd seen. Yet now, he felt like the plane had plunged twenty-thousand feet. The clear skin of her heart-shaped face flushed. Arched black eyebrows, a straight nose and a full pouty mouth defined her features. Then she did something few women did for him. She smiled, showing twin dimples.
Raw lust heated his blood. His balls drew up tight.
Not since he'd been sixteen had he responded this way.
She wasn't a beauty in any classical sense.
No, in his book she was better. Curvaceous and cute as hell. Dynamite in a package a good foot shorter than he was. Though he couldn't be any more accurate because of the ridiculous thick-heeled boots she wore.
Oh, eh. He had himself a real problem now. Damn hard to focus past his hard-on.
A loud whistle cut the air. "Wish I'd had the aisle seat."
A tic beating to life in his cheek, he let her go.
"Excuse me." The sheila shuffled around his other leg.
Through half-lidded eyes, he watched her arse until she disappeared into the restroom. No, this time, he wouldn't look away. And if he got lucky, and she tried to talk to him again, he'd manage some sort of response.
A minute or so later, she reappeared. He looked on as she spoke with a flight attendant.
Miller frowned when the little Yank crooked her finger at him. Curious, he unbuckled his belt. When the flight attendant passed by him, he made his way over to her.
"Eh?"
"Um..." Her white teeth raked over her lower lips, causing his balls to tingle. "I hate to ask..." She gasped as the bird hit another rough patch of turbulence, and she grabbed his shirt.
Miller braced his legs while he clasped her shoulder. "It's all right."
"I've not flown before. Well, I mean since before leaving Iowa."
He grunted. He flew nearly every day.
A dimple winked at him as she smoothed down his shirt front. "Sorry about that." The caressing fingers stimulated his nipples. His prick pulsed in need.
Arousal. Desire. It was a powerful force. What a bloody fine time to be dealing with lust.
He glanced at the unoccupied restroom.
Joining the mile high club would relieve some of the growing sexual tension. But even if the Yank was interested, he had no desire to be arrested.
Christ, he had to get a hold of himself. He didn't pick up women in bars, let alone on a bird at twenty thousand feet. Unlike his brothers, who had taken to the clubs for one-night stands, bars had never been his scene. Instead, when the need struck, he paid for sex. No strings. No fuss. And like many men, his palms had always been his best friends.
"Sheila, you wanted something?"
"Oh, yes." Her hand fluttered over her exposed cleavage.
Miller's gaze was drawn to her long, painted nails as much as to the lush swell of her breasts.
She moved closer, so he'd hear her better. "I hate to ask, I don't want to make you any more uncomfortable..."
A frown tightened the skin across his forehead as he met her expressive eyes. He was in trouble. He liked the sound of her voice. It was light, a breeze on a hot summer day.
Since when had he ever noticed a woman's voice? Or what kind of bloody shoes one wore?
"I've asked the flight attendant, but there are no unoccupied seats available on this flight." She lowered her lashes. "Would you mind switching seats with me? I hate to ask..."
Suddenly realizing he still held on to her, he let her go and peered over his shoulder at the obnoxious bloke. "No worries, I don't mind."
"Thank you." She sighed. "If I had to sit by him another minute... His touch creeps me out."
"He physically harassed you?" His teeth clenched. Dammit. He hadn't noticed since he'd been spending his time trying not to eyeball her.
Fuck.
"Nothing I couldn't handle." She wiped her hands on her jeans. "I'm sure it's the alcohol coming out."
Eh, the bloke had put some away. But some blokes were always pig's arses. "Come on, sheila." He turned away from her to lead them back to their seats.
Taking the center chair, he made sure to take up as much room as he possibly could.
"Come on, man." The bloke leaned forward.
Miller turned his head to meet the man's gaze. "I'd like nothing better than to be given a reason..."
With his mouth twisted up, the man plastered himself up against the wall.
Thought as much.
Kaycee recrossed her legs. This time, she brought one to rest along that of the Australian.
Holy snap. The man was yummy. And big. Too bad he was so quiet.
She bit her lip so she wouldn't bother him again. It was clear he wasn't interested in talking, let alone her. But the need for sex hummed in her veins. For hours, she'd been fantasizing over the big Aussie.
What she wouldn't give to be her best friend right now. Just what would Gina do in this situation? Gina would be in her element coming on to this man. She, on the other hand, always waited for the guy to make a move. Only there'd been very few moves toward her. Not with Ginas in the world to act first.
Doug had stolen so much from her.
Now, she wasn't comfortable in loud clubs. The feel of the music pumping in her heart unnerved her. And she wasn't crazy about the fact many considered clubs to be meat markets for easy pickups. But she still tagged along with Gina because there were aspects she did like. There was never enough time for her girlfriends anymore. She loved music, and she liked to watch people. Yes, she'd call herself a people person.
So what's stopping you now?
Now was different. She didn't just want to be friendly. She wanted to be seductive.
Just try to talk to him again.
Time and again, Gina had encouraged her in the past months. She could do this on her own.
Unable to help herself, she pressed into his hard-as-rock biceps. Just one little touch wouldn't hurt. "Do you fly a lot?" Her fingers twitched to caress the thick muscles of his arm. Like the muscles across his chest, the muscles in his arms ran along the bone, thick and defined.
"Eh, I do." Stunning blue eyes met hers for the briefest of moments before he faced forward again.
Refusing to give up just yet, she rested her head on the cushion. "Are you traveling on business?"
"Eh, I was."
Okay. At that short answer, she leaned back into her seat. She'd tried to come on to him. Unsuccessfully. Maybe she could find a class for this sort of thing...
He surprised her when he turned to face her. "I was in Sydney for some AusSAR training."
A quiver raced along her spine. He'd spoken to her. Progress.
The man was dreamy. Ruggedly handsome. Like his shoulders, his face was broad. His nose and mouth were a perfect fit in the hard plains of his face. His blond hair needed a trim.
"AusSAR?" She remembered to breathe.
"The national search and rescue organization. It's part of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority."
She smiled. It'd be easy to listen to him talk. Way easy. "That sounds exciting."
In her mind's eye, a scene of her friend Gina letting some guy take her against a bar's wall startled her. Her face heated. How many times had Gina had a one-night stand?
Did she have it in her to even dare? Risk something so personal with a man she didn't even know?
"Are you married?" Impulsively she took a risk.
"What?" He leaned closer as if he hadn't heard her.
She swallowed, her stomach knotting with nerves. "Are you married?" She kept her voice low as she took another glance at his hands where they rested on his thighs. He had big hands. No band or suntan line was evident on his ring finger.
"No."
"Are you engaged?"
He blinked long lashes. "No."
"Are you in a relationship?"
His nostrils flared. "No, sheila, I'm not."
"After we land..." Kaycee's heart pounded a frantic rate. "After we land, would you like to get a room with me?"
"Aren't you forgetting another important question?"
Oh...no... "Oh..." She straightened up in her seat at the heat burning her face. "I'm sorry." When would she ever learn? How many times had Gina said the good ones were either married or gay?
"Sheila, come here." He hadn't moved, so she leaned back over. "Are you clean?" His low voice rolled along her skin. Holy snap, she loved his Aussie accent.
"What?" She blinked then moaned, ducking her head against him.
Oh, how embarrassing. That was the question she'd forgotten. Though she'd often worried that wasn't something her friend bothered to check.
She nodded, unable to look up. "Are you?" There was no incentive for him to tell the truth.
"Eh, I am. Sheila, you sure about this?"
Why would any man say he wasn't clean when he was about to get lucky? But regarding his steady gaze, she believed him. Something more than excitement spread through her---she liked the Aussie. Instantly, she trusted him.
Briefly her eyes closed.
Sex with a stranger could be a good thing.
She met his blue gaze once more. Looking into his handsome face, she'd bet he did this sort of thing all the time.
Nipples tingling, she pressed closer. "Will you kiss me?"
At the brush of his lips, she clasped his face. His scruffy skin was rough under her fingers. She whimpered, tasting the beer he'd drank earlier.
The kiss was gentle and too brief. Not anything like she'd expected from a man his size.
"Oh, yes, yes I am." She gulped for a steadying breath.
He kissed her again. This time his tongue delved into her mouth. She moaned, loving the feel of his large one dancing with hers. He teased her to distraction, sending delicious sensations through her body. His hand closest to her slipped into her lap to caress her thigh.
Leaving her breathless, he broke the embrace of their lips. "One rule, sheila."
"What's that?"
"No names. No important info exchanged." His nostrils flared, alerting her that the kiss had affected him too. "One night together. That's all."
That seemed best, considering this was casual sex with no strings. "Okay." She nodded, their breath mingling.
"Eh, then, we'll share a room."
Miller's hand trembled when he signed his name for the room. The Yank stood about three feet away with her bags. Christ, she'd hauled a shitload of bags across the pond.
Her dimples showed as her lips curled up in a grin, causing his heart to thunder like a herd in a panic.
Free sex with a complete stranger. This wasn't his scene. This was something time and again he'd wanted to knock his younger brothers' heads together for doing. What the hell had come over him?
Bugger me. I know what's come over me. My rigid prick. The last hours had been more foreplay, more anticipation than he'd had in his entire bloody life.
But why had she singled him out? She was young and breathtaking. He frowned. Just how old was the Yank?
With a bellhop leading the way, he walked directly behind her. He exhaled sharply. She was small. No, she was short. She had a full set of breasts and a round, spankable arse.
In the elevator, she stood directly in front of him. Without the boots she now wore, the top of her head would tuck under his chin with room to spare.
Christ, she was curvaceous for someone so small.
Once the luggage was unloaded, he slipped the bloke a tip. "Thanks."
"You too, mate."
Then they were alone.
"Thanks for flipping for the suite." She dropped the bag she carried on a desk. "But I don't mind splitting the cost."
"No worries, sheila. I can afford it." Though the drought had taken a toll on the station, he had plenty put away. "How old are you?"
"What?"
"How old are you?"
"I thought you didn't want any info exchanged."
"Just your age."
"I'll be twenty-six on my next birthday." The Yank toyed with a lock of her hair. "How old are you?"
"Older than you." He was too damn old to be fooling around with her. Ten years. He had nearly ten years on her. She was young. Younger than his baby brother. Eh, too bloody young for him.
She nodded before looking down.
Instead of leaving like he should, something unexplainable drove him to move closer. "I turned thirty-four last week."
Her smile hit him hard in his solar plexus. Christ, she had an engaging smile. It was the dimples. It had to be. He'd never seen anyone with them before. "Happy belated birthday."
"Thanks." Hell, if it weren't for his mum, he'd forget he had one.
"So, mate, do you mind if I take a shower before we get busy?" A flush spread up from the exposed portions of her breasts and neck to settle in her checks.
"Have at it." He shoved his hands into his pockets, feeling sixteen again. Even now, he remembered how Emily had blushed. He blinked Em's memory away. Emily was history. Old history.
Picking up his single bag, he placed it on the other side of the room. At her side, he motioned to her half dozen bags. "Where do you want these?"
"Oh, they're fine..."
Ignoring her, he settled four on the extra bed, leaving the two smaller ones on the floor. The smallest bag on the desk he also left alone.
"Thank you."
He shrugged a shoulder before slipping into the bathroom to piss.
Back in the bedroom, the Yank had unzipped two of the suitcases. She held up two small pieces of fabric. "So, which color do you like best?" She held the black slip up in front of her. "Is this one sexier?"
"The blue." He exhaled. "I like the blue." Many of the working girls he'd been with wore black.
"Okay. Blue it is." She brushed past him, sending a jolt through him. His prick stiffened.
"Yank?"
She grinned. "Aussie..."
"Australian-born are natives." He wanted to bite his tongue watching her eyes widen. "We're known as natives."
"Native then."
No info, mate. You could have been from New Zealand for all she knew.
"Are you hungry? Want some lunch first?" They'd had a light breakfast on the birdie.
After a shake of her head, she picked up one of the smaller bags from the floor. "Let's make love first. Maybe nap before a meal?"
Make love. His skin tingled on a thrill of arousal.
Bloody fuck.
He'd never even heard the term before.
Twenty minutes later, Miller sat on a chair in the corner waiting. Sweat coated his palms. He sat there listening to her. After the toilet had flushed, she'd spent ten minutes in the shower.
His prick pulsed eagerly in his jeans.
What could possibly be taking her so long? Had she changed her mind? Should he check on her? Should he change his bloody mind?
No mate, only a fool would pass her up.
After removing his boots and socks, he placed a box of condoms on the night stand. Just like his knife, he never left home without protection. It was always best to be prepared.
Thankfully, he didn't have too much longer to wait.
The Yank was hesitant to join him. Her head peeked out first. "Just checking to see if you stayed."
He grunted. "Eh, sheila, I'm here."
She came into the bedroom. Her lush curves overflowed the skimpy lingerie. When she turned in a circle, he saw her arse showed in the back.
His prick twitched.
Already his muscles tightened in anticipation.
On light steps, she made her way over to stand in front of him and let her hair down.
Miller's breathing turned rough. Christ, she was breathtaking.
"Do you like it?" She smoothed the material down over her stomach.
"Eh." He swallowed and stood. Her hands rested on his chest. His guess had been right, she was small. She was shorter with the ridiculous high-heeled boots off.
No, she wasn't small. She was short and curvy. He spent his days around big animals. He was a rough man. The Yank reminded him of how he felt around his nieces and nephew. Protective.
And awkward as hell.
Up on her tiptoes, she kissed his mouth. "I've never had a one-night stand." Her lips nibbled at his. "Will you make it special for me?"
Miller shuddered under her caressing hands.
I've never had a one-night stand. Was that possible?
Special. She wanted this special. He'd been a walking hard-on since she'd sat beside him in Sydney.
Groaning, he lifted his head. "Give me five minutes." He headed to the shower. He wouldn't need five full minutes. Only long enough to beat off and take the edge off.
What he needed now was some control.
Special. He didn't know a bloody thing about special.
Kaycee supposed she should be worried, or nervous. She wasn't. Still, as soon as she'd arrived at the hotel---while the Native was checking them in---she'd left a message on her mom's voice mail of where she was staying.
Better safe than sorry.
Her sight landed on the box of condoms. With a shaking hand, she picked it up. Extra large. Heat scalded along her skin.
Extra large.
Holy snap.
Butterflies returned to her stomach.
Okay. So I'm nervous. But I'm excited too.
Quickly, she counted them to find four missing. So, he'd done this before. Probably on every business trip he took. It was good, though, that he appeared to be careful.
Stuffing the rubbers into the box, she put them back in their place so he couldn't tell she'd looked. She sat on the bed to wait.
Inside the bathroom, the shower turned off, and she jumped.
This is crazy. What would mom say if she knew?
No. The chemistry was there. It'd run through her like lightening.
Remember this stay in Australia is supposed to be the beginning of the rest of your life.
Live it up a little.
Plus, this night will wipe away a lot of ugly memories.
Do not go there. Not ever again. At least not now.
She was a survivor.
Shakily, she brushed her hair back over her shoulders.
The door opened quietly, and the blond Aussie ambled out with a towel around his hips. Using another smaller one, he dried his hair.
Kaycee scrambled up onto her knees to ogle him. His clothes hadn't hid what lay beneath, but who could have imagined the allure. He was a big, broad man with delicious muscles topped with a pallet of chest hair running down until it tapered out of sight.
Doug hadn't had a single hair on his chest.
Stop it.
No comparing.
Don't let him ruin this fantasy come true. And making love with a dreamy Australian had been her fantasy for years now.
Instead of crossing to the bed, he went to the floor-to-ceiling window and pulled the curtain closed, shadowing the room in semidarkness.
She was nearly panting by the time he sat beside her on the mattress. He faced her, allowing the towel he'd used on his hair to drape around his shoulders.
"You sure about this, sheila?" One of his big hands splayed on the bed.
"Yes." She reached out to comb her fingers through his thick hair. She liked the natural highlights the strands had. "You've got beautiful hair."
He grunted, his eyelids dropping to half mast.
"You do." Her teeth caught her lower lip as she stroked the gold and white strands. His hair had been kissed by the sun.
Instinct assured her this first move was up to her. He wouldn't push. So she rose up on her knees and shifted over to him. Only then did his hand leave the bed. It cupped her bottom.
She gasped at the rough feel of his hand on her skin, shivered as he roamed up her back under the material. Settling in close to him, she kissed him. Immediately, his mouth opened for her exploration.
Liquid heat pooled between her legs, inciting a moan. He had a nice mouth. To her delight his mouth remained gentle as he permitted her to explore him. Enjoying the interaction of their kisses, she lingered over his taste.
Their tongues tangled round and round one another's.
Kaycee's arms went around his shoulders to allow her to press against his chest. "Oh..." She liked the feel of his hard body against hers. Squirming closer, she clasped his face. "Oh, you shaved."
In her center, delicious sensations danced wildly.
Her fingers played over his smooth skin and square jaw. "You're yummy." Eagerly, she nibbled on his lower lip savoring the minty taste that lingered.
One hand stayed on her back while the other rough hand slid around to a breast. She arched her back at the feel of the swollen flesh in his palm.
He squeezed, tweaking the extended nipple.
"Oh..." She moaned, trailing kisses along his jaw line. Her hands pushed the towel off to stroll over the muscles of his wide shoulders and upper arms.
Her breath came quickly now. The skin under her lingering lips was so warm. At the feel of her teeth on his earlobe, his hand tightened on her breast. "That feels good..." She arched into him when his other hand cupped her other breast. Roughly, he massaged the sensitive globes. "You feel so good against me."
"Sheila." He lifted the nightie over her head, momentarily breaking the contact of their bodies.
For a heartbeat, she allowed him to look at her breasts. Only a heartbeat, then she kissed him again, urging him to follow her down to the mattress.
He did as she bid, not breaking the kiss. He shed the towel, and settled beside her. The hair on his chest sent her into a frenzy. "You remind me of a bear." Her hands sculpted his pecs. She loved how easily his chest stimulated her skin.
Gently, she raked her long nails over his nipples. Though flat, they were hard like her own.
Continuing to toy with his nipples, she earned a growl. Her heart leapt at the noise rumbling from his chest. "Do you like that?"
Kaycee gasped when he caught her hands up, collecting them in one of his. He pulled her arms over her head and braced himself back on his forearm. Her pulse quickened. One of his hairy legs entwined with hers. The weight was welcome. The hair along his thigh and calves tickled her skin as much as the mat on his chest did her breasts.
It had been a long time since she'd felt the rising tide of arousal like this. A very long time. And then it hadn't been real.
Panting, she squirmed, wanting closer. Needing more.
Instead, he claimed her mouth in a deep, toe-curling kiss. His tongue teased hers into play, dueling now and then. Her hips arched in need, in offering.
Insatiable desire tightened her clit.
Moisture pooled at her sex. She wanted him. Wanted him. How amazing he could make her feel so alive. So good. So wanton.
She cried out when he shifted closer, bringing his big cock in contact with her hip. "Oh, yes." Desperate to feel him, she tried to break the hold his single hand had on her wrists. "Let me touch you."
Instead, his kiss lingered, his hand drifting down between her legs. She folded her free leg up in invitation. She didn't have to beg. His fingers slipped into her wet folds. Slowly, he explored her swollen flesh. His fingers teased her to near madness.
"What's your..." She tried to gain her breath between passes of his lips. "...name?"
Stilling the torture of his fingers, he lifted his head. His nostrils flared.
"I want to know whose name to scream."
"Miller." A shudder ran through his big body. "Miller Thorn." His eyes were nearly black with desire, his pupils dilated.
"Kaycee." Her breasts heaved while she tried to catch her breath. "My name's Kaycee Hollenbeck."
His hand went back to teasing. This time, he eased two fingers inside her hole. A thrill rocketed through her body. Bliss built at the feel of his thumb and fingers working in unison to bring her to pleasure.
The ecstasy intensified with each thrust of his fingers, with each swipe of his thumb on her tight clit. Her body tensed as the orgasm washed through her. She whimpered, feeling the tiny pulses of her inner walls fade away.
Finally letting go of her wrists, Miller removed his hand, then shifted to reach the condoms. She caressed his thigh while he worked.
Enthralled, she watched through lowered lids while he rolled the protection down over the head of his thick cock to the base at his big balls.
His breathing had turned harsh. "You sure?"
As crazy as it might sound to some, she'd never been surer of anything before. Moaning, she urged him to settle over her. Legs spread wide, she accommodated his girth.
No sooner had he climbed over her, than he rolled them over.
"Oh, Miller." She came up on top with no leg room. But he scooted them over to the center of the bed.
"Ride me." His sexy accent skimmed along her nerve endings.
Her breath caught. Her stomach tightened, along with the muscles of her sex. Pleasure beat wildly in her clit.
Ride me. Oh...
Control. What a delicious sensation.
Still unsure of how to take the initiative, she kissed him. A kiss he wholeheartedly returned. The suction of his mouth, his delving tongue and teeth had her squirming. She broke the kiss, shifted backward to bump his hard cock. Arching her bottom, she rubbed her wet folds against the thick length.
Over and over, she teased them.
Her breasts dragged back and forth along his chest. Placing her hands on his abdomen, she lifted up to bring her sex down on his cock. "Miller...." She closed her eyes, making her way down his big, rigid length.
He stretched her out-of-practice muscles, filled her up more with each inch. An ache built inside her. A satisfying ache she could get used to. He felt so good buried in her depths. She could feel him deep now. So deep, but she wanted so much more. Finally, when she was fully seated on his cock, she opened her eyes.
Sweat coated his forehead.
His teeth were clenched. So were his fists, which knotted the sheets alongside her thighs.
She moaned, liking the effect she had on him.
Experimentally, she ground herself back and forth on him and gasped at the ache his cock caused. It was a pleasant ache, almost painful. His cock was big. Hard. And buried so deep in her body. Still, she wanted more.
So much more of Miller Thorn.
Closing her eyes, she rocked herself, enjoying the movement of his body inside her own. With slow motions, she relished the delicious ache the intimate caress caused.
She gasped, opening her eyes at the feel of his thumb at her swollen clit. "Oh, Miller..." The friction intensified as he worked her flesh. "Oh, God, yes." She stopped moving, sitting there while his body filled her up. His fingers worked her like an instrument.
His free hand caught a breast and squeezed. Then he massaged his way to her other breast. Her back arched at the first spark of a climax. Her hips rolled as she sought the full measure of paradise. When the orgasm hit, her inner muscles gripped him in an attempt to milk him dry.
"Miller..." Panting, she ground down. "You feel so good in me." She wanted to give him what he'd given her.
Pleasure.
Sweet, sweet pleasure.
Abruptly, he bucked underneath her. She cried out and hung on. Over and over, he thrust his hips upward in a brutal rhythm. She moaned with the hardness driving up inside of her eager hole.
His hands grabbed her thighs.
Once, twice, three times his hips bucked under her weight. Groaning, his body jerked up, strained, arched in climax.
Whimpering, she enjoyed the pulsing his cock did while it emptied. She enjoyed the feel of his length softening the slightest bit inside her.
"Sheila." His chest heaved. "I need to collect the condom."
"Oh." She scrambled off.
Miller removed the condom, then swung into a sitting position on the side of the bed. Shyly she pulled a sheet up as cover. As her heart calmed, he disappeared into the bathroom. The experience had been an incredible one. Inner muscles clenched reminding her of just how much she'd enjoyed it. And now he was disposing of the evidence he'd enjoyed it too. He returned just as quickly.
A sense of relief eased her mind. Doug had no claim to her now. She could go on with all aspects of her life. Now more than ever she was grateful she'd followed her dream and come to Australia.
He perched on the side of the bed before joining her again. She pulled the sheet up over him too. Hesitantly, she scooted over to his side and rested her head on his shoulder. A sigh rushed through her lips at the feel of his arm going around her.
"A nap." His fingers trailed along her arm. "And a meal."
"Hmm...it sounds wonderful." Kaycee cuddled onto his warm body. Her fingers worked their way into the fur on his chest.
Kaycee Hollenbeck.
A going-on-twenty-six-year-old Yank.
Miller's hand rubbed along the bare skin of her shoulder, rib and arm. His other hand held on to the wrist of her hand on his chest.
His heart thumped a chaotic pace under her fingers while his prick pulsed in need.
He'd fucked up. How many times had he heard Ethan and Cohen state "don't get personal with casual sex partners"?
How could he have kept his name from her? His chest constricted. At that moment, he'd wanted to know everything about Kaycee. Still did.
What the bloody fuck was she doing alone in Oz? He couldn't imagine one of the females in his family crossing the bloody pond alone. Even his sister-in-law, Hayleigh, had traveled with friends on her first trip over...
His lips flattened out. That first time those two had met...
Leave it alone, mate.
This isn't anything like what they'd experienced. Good things didn't happen in his world. Luck had never been on his side.
In her sleep, she sighed, moved against his body. Her smooth leg shifted higher over his.
Miller ignored his stiff prick. Christ, he'd been like one of the station's stud stallions since he'd met her. This put him on edge. Unnerved the fuck out of him. He was no longer a youth, had long since learned to control his baser needs.
Not since Emily had he come close to this reaction to a woman. And then he'd been a mouthy kid, who hadn't known his own arse from a hole in the ground. Eh, his reaction to Kaycee unnerved him. Made him feel shaky. And good.
He released a steadying breath, his thumb rubbing the soft underside of her wrist.
"Hmm, you're awake." Her fingers tangled in his chest hair.
"Eh, I am." His balls tightened at the feel of her hardened nipples on his skin. "G'day, sheila."
"Hmm." Kaycee pressed into his body, her knee dangerously close to his rigid prick. "Did you sleep?"
"Not much." Not at all, but he supposed that didn't matter. Most nights, he slept from ten to four. If he got off schedule, he was fucked. And tired the next day. He hadn't even tried to sleep. Not with her naked in his arms.
"You didn't sleep much on the flight either." She rose up onto an elbow to gaze down at him. "Are you sleepy?" She placed a single kiss on his mouth, her hand roaming across his chest, then slowly down his belly.
He gulped air at the feel of her palm on his prick.
"You seem very awake to me." Gently, she rubbed the palm of her hand up and down his length before trying to wrap her hand around its width. Her hand was small like the rest of her. But he didn't care. All he wanted was for her to keep touching him.
Slowly, her hand pulled up and down along the hard muscle.
"I thought you'd be in need of a meal." Sweat prickled his skin at the need she intensified. Her hand tightened causing his teeth to clench.
"Oh, I'd like to go to the Sounds of Silence dinner at Ayers Rock later." She moved her hand to tease the head of his prick. "Will you go with me?"
Sweat broke out on his chest. Dinner out at a tourist attraction? "Eh." He'd agree to dinner out at Ayers Rock. He'd agree to anything she asked. Christ, he better not be expected to follow a conversation now. His hips arched.
"You like this..." Her teeth caught hold of her lower lip.
Lust moved along his bloodstream.
"Touching you like this..." her leg shifted along his, "...makes me wet." She dropped her head, her lips trailing along his jaw to his throat.
Oh, fuck. "Kaycee."
"Hmm." Her tongue teased the underside of his ear. "You taste so good."
Oh, fuck. "Sheila." A hand tangled in the mass of her hair. He couldn't recall anyone fondling him in such a way before. Christ, he was going to lose it. Spill like a bloody youth.
She gasped, lifting her head. Her lips parted as she leaned over. "Kiss me, Miller."
Removing her hand from his prick, he did what she wanted. Claimed her mouth. Nibbled her lips. Suckled at her tongue. Teased her until her pussy rubbed along his hip.
He shuddered, grasping her arse to hold her still.
"Make love..." she panted into his mouth, "...to me."
Make love. He'd never get used to her saying that. Damn if it didn't make him feel as if this mattered. As if he mattered. She made him feel good. Needed. Wanted.
"I want you on top." Her nails raked his nipple.
His hips jerked.
"I want to feel all..." her tongue teased his lips, "...your strength."
Oh, fuck. She talks too much.
Balls drawn up tight against his body, he reached for a condom. With her darkened eyes watching his every move, his hand shook as he covered his prick.
She shifted away. Expectantly she got on her back. Her hand urged him to climb on. At the feel of her thighs cradling his hips, he shuddered. His prick rubbed her soaked pussy.
"Hmm. That feels good."
Teeth clenched, he rocked against her clit.
"You feel so good." Her hands clung to his shoulders.
Keeping the bulk of his weight off her, he rocked himself back and forth over her swollen flesh. She moaned every time he passed over her clit.
At the first arch of her hips, he pulled back and entered her hole. As he inched his way in, her inner walls sucked at him. He rolled his hips, burying himself deep.
She was tight. So bloody tight.
Sharp nails dug into his shoulders. Her legs and arms clamped around his body.
Muscles straining to hold back, he dropped his head to claim her mouth in a kiss. Her hands shifted into his hair while her mouth and body sucked at his tongue and prick. His thrusts turned brutal as he worked his body in and out of her clinging walls in frantic bursts.
Every stroke he gave her, she treated him to a gasp.
A moan of desire.
Sweat rolled along his back while he grunted and groaned.
Christ, he liked how she felt around his prick.
Liked how she rocked her body up to meet his driving force.
Liked the sounds she made while he fucked her.
"Miller..." Her body stiffened to arch under his. Her pussy clenched, convulsed around his working muscle. He fucked her faster, harder to draw out her pleasure. "Oh..." She breathed hot against his throat. Her hands continued to cling to him.
Letting himself go, he rode out his own climax. His mind went blank. Back arched, his prick jerked on each release of his come.
Chest heaving, he opened his eyes to stare down at Kaycee. Her feet rubbed over the backs of his legs.
Her pussy squeezed his semi-erect prick. "You feel so good inside me." She lifted her head and kissed him full on the mouth. When she rested her head on the pillow her dimples flashed.
You feel so good inside me. A woman shouldn't say that to a man if she expected him to be able to think of anything else.
Growling, he eased out of her to deal with the condom. Once done, he joined her back on the bed. The sheet had been pulled up over her breasts. "If you want dinner out at Ayers Rock we need to get going. It's a long ride."
"I was rather impulsive earlier." She sighed. "When I asked you to go out to dinner with me."
He grunted. He'd figured that much about her out on his own. She talked a lot too. Even during sex. At least for him. He wasn't used to a lot of chatter.
She sat up, her loose hair fell around her shoulders. "You don't mind going out there with me?"
"I don't agree to things I don't want to do." Though he wasn't entirely sure he'd be able to keep to that rule with her naked.
"That's good to know." She smiled, wrapping her arms around her knees. "I hear it's spectacular out there. Have you been?"
"I've flown over it a few times."
Kaycee's teeth dragged over her lower lip. A habit of hers that he'd noted. "I guess we need to get ready then." She stood, taking the sheet with her to shield her body. "Do you want to shower with me?"
Miller came off the bed while she walked backward from the room.
His prick thickened at the invitation.
"I'll scrub your back." Her smile was both sexy and mischievous before she disappeared from his view.
His hands curled into fists as his prick lengthened fully.
What the bloody hell am I doing with the Yank? He did not hang out with women. Not since Emily of his youth... Well, there'd been De. But neither woman had set him on edge like this. Neither had made him experience what Kaycee had him feeling. Wanting.
Mate, just get the protection.
So he did.
Kaycee's muscles knotted in discomfort while she crouched down to zip up her bag. A delicious ache tingled between her legs. Even her thighs were sore.
Miller had given her the best workout of her life. She'd never felt so wanted.
"What do you think about flying over to Ayers Rock?"
"But we've this room for the night." She looked up to find him towering over her. Wow... Did he look good in his worn clothes. Muscle-hugging T-shirt. Jeans. Boots. Yum. Yum. Yum. Slowly, she scanned back up his legs. On his belt rested his cell and a knife.
She blinked. The man actually carried a knife.
"No worries. We'll stay overnight there." He shrugged a shoulder. "Watch the sunrise and come back here."
How much would a hop cost? And another room. She'd been told Australia was expensive. She shook the concern off. What did it matter?
Life was about living, and she wanted every memory with the Aussie life would allow. "Well, sure." She smiled. "It sounds fun." It did. A whole lot of fun.
"Good. We'll camp out then."
"Oh..." She stood and moaned at the pulling in her inner thighs.
"You all right?" His lips compressed.
"Yes, it's a heavenly discomfort."
"What?"
"Oh, it's nothing." She waved a hand. "I've never camped out before." Nope. She was a city girl.
"And you came to the outback?" He arched a blond eyebrow.
"I know." She laughed and gave a little shake of her head. "It's crazy. But something made me come here. I just had to. Australia is the most fascinating place I've ever read about."
After a clear noncommittal sound, he folded his arms. "Do you have decent boots?"
"Yes, I do." She collected her hiking boots from her shoe bag. "See. They don't do much for my vertical problem, but I've already worn them in."
"They'll do."
Kaycee's lips turned up. "Told you so."
He looked away, out through the floor-to-ceiling window. "I'll wait outside while you pack a bag."
"Great." She ogled his bottom while he made his way out onto the balcony.
It didn't take her long to get ready. She noted Miller had collected all his things before they headed out. He'd left nothing behind in the room when the door closed after them. It startled her back into reality. Sadness stole over her. She'd like more time with Miller but it seemed as if he was already gone.
Her feet were slower on the way to the truck he'd rented. The mood didn't last. She'd rather enjoy what time they did have left instead of worry about when it'd end.
On the way to the airport, they picked up sandwiches. She ate quietly as he drove. From time to time, she fed him a French fry from a large package. She took to feeding him two or three at a time. He appeared to like bigger bites.
Sweet sensations hummed to life when his tongue licked salt from her finger. "Want a bite of your burger?"
"Nope. I'll eat once we're at the birdie."
Minutes later, she took the last juicy bite of hers to glance up and see they had somehow gotten out onto the tarmac. In the distance, an airplane lifted off. "Hm, I think this is illegal."
"Not for me."
He drove up close to a small place. "Sheila, say g'day to one of my birds." He stopped the truck and cut off the engine.
"You're a pilot?" She stared at him, her stomach dancing with butterflies, making her almost giddy. She didn't know what to think. "Why didn't you tell me?"
His knuckles whitened on the steering wheel.
"Oh, yeah." She forced a smile that made her cheeks hurt. "Casual sex. No unnecessary information exchanged." She needed to remember that.
Her gaze dropped to her lap while she put her trash together. Tightness swelled under her breasts. Now, this is ridiculous. You knew what you were getting into. Still, hurt penetrated her nerves.
"Kaycee..."
Again, she forced her mouth into what she hoped resembled a smile. "Hey, no worries." She purposely used his words. "You'd better eat so we can get going."
He took the two burgers she passed him. While he unwrapped the first one, she shoved the trash into the bag.
In five or six bites, he woofed down a sandwich and then guzzled a bottle of water.
Okay, girl. Get over this funk. "I'm looking forward to the dinner." She shrugged a shoulder. "And to the flight."
"I've got four other birdies." He ate two bites before he licked his lips. "I'm a bush pilot. Besides using my birds like Yanks use cars, I do some search-and-rescue flights."
A thrill jumped in her stomach over the fact he'd opened up a bit. She did want to know things about him. She wanted to remember as much as she could about her Native. Even if it was only a fling.
She recalled what he'd said on the plane earlier. The training in Sydney he'd mentioned. "For the AusSAR?"
His blue gaze turned her way. "Eh, sheila."
"That sounds dangerous." She moistened her lips. Search and rescue did sound dangerous. Very much so. She'd never given the career much thought before.
He finished his second sandwich, then wadded up his trash. "Can be." He added the wrappers to the bag. "But someone's got to do it." He uncapped a second water bottle. "It might as well be me. I'm a bloody good pilot."
She tried not to smile at the show of his ego. But she failed. "That I'm glad to hear."
When he regarded her once more, she reached out and clasped his jaw in her hand. At her urge to come closer, he did. She kissed his lips. "I'm looking forward to this date."
The flare of his nostrils sent a shiver through her. After treating her to a dark, heavy-lidded glance, he kissed her back.
She moaned. Oh, yes, she was looking forward to this date.
Miller sat at the candlelit table outside with Kaycee to his right.
A real, honest-to-Christ date.
He was on a date.
His first.
With Emily there'd been a whole lot of sneaking around. And with De their relationship had never been conventional. Kaycee weaved a web of almost...enchantment around him with her enthusiasm for him, for life in general.
If it weren't for the other six people, he might actually enjoy himself.
Directly across from them sat Yank honeymooners. On his left sat a couple from Germany. And to Kaycee's right sat two single men, one French, the other English.
The table was large and round, but the men were still too close to Kaycee.
He leaned over for Kaycee's ear only. "You've got to eat something."
A delicate shiver shook her body. She turned toward him to wrap her arm around his shoulders. "Oh my gosh, stop teasing. I can't eat crocodile."
Damn if his mouth didn't pull up in amusement. She hadn't enjoyed any of the Australian delicacies. He, on the other hand, had piled on emu, kangaroo, barramundi and bush salad.
After second helpings, he was full, while she'd consumed mostly wine.
"The Milky Way stretches across the entire sky." She pointed up, clinging to him. "Isn't it gorgeous?"
At glance, he took in the constellations. He didn't pay them much mind anymore. There were countless stars visible in the southern hemisphere. He shifted his gaze to her nearby profile. "Eh, gorgeous." Her beauty hadn't failed to steal his breath yet.
"Thank you." Her smile shone brighter for him than any star. She kissed him, allowed him to savor the wine she'd been drinking before she dove back into conversations around the table.
While he sat and brooded. He liked the personal attention she gave him. It wasn't something he was used to. They had so little time left, he wanted all her attention.
Minutes later the Frenchman got her to laugh at something. His guts knotted up. He wanted to be the one to make her laugh and smile. But had no bloody idea how.
On edge, he leaned back in his chair. Some bug he'd never experienced had gotten up his arse. He had to get over his reaction to her.
He had to.
Tomorrow, they'd part ways. The thought didn't sit well. He wanted more time with her. His teeth clenched. Meeting her had mixed up his world. Good things didn't happen to him. Life had taught him this lesson time and again.
After dinner, an astronomer gave a brief talk while pointing out stars and constellations. Telescopes and binoculars were set up for them all to get a closer view.
Kaycee straightened from taking a peek. "Oh, Miller. It's as if we've stepped into the prehistoric age. With all the lights off, it feels as if we've traveled back in time. Nothing but emptiness and stars for miles and miles."
He grunted and shuffled a foot. That pretty much summed up the never-never. The land went on forever with damn few people in comparison to populate it.
"I'd love to stay here forever."
His chest constricted. "You don't belong here, sheila." No, she didn't. She was soft. Small. And she appeared to be happy in general. A happy little vegemite. The outback would drain the joy of life right out of her. Hell, he knew men who'd blown their brains out. Others had tried to ease the loneliness and depression with alcohol.
No, the never-never was no place for the Yank.
She grew quiet when she went back to viewing the sky through the telescope.
He folded his arms, so not to reach out for her. Ambling over, he stopped at her side. "Australia is a hard land. The outback is one of the most unforgiving places on the planet."
"I know. I was just talking." She lifted her head. "The bugs would make me crazy."
He snorted. The insects were the least of the outback hardships. Though as a native, he rarely noticed them.
"You want to look? Interesting how the Zodiac is all upside down here. But you can see all of Scorpio."
"Have at it." He shook his head, able to see the stars fine enough.
"Kaycee?"
They turned to see the Frenchman saddle up.
"Hey, want a peek?"
"No, thanks." The man extended a glass he carried. "The waitress had a last call."
"Oh, thank you." She accepted the offering.
"I'm heading back to town. Enjoy the rest of your trip."
"You too." She lifted the glass. "It was nice meeting you."
"A pleasure." He finally addressed Miller. "You as well, mate."
Miller put his hand out. "Hooroo, mate."
Then they stood alone again. Miller stepped into her personal space.
"He was nice." She sighed, leaning into his body. After a drink, she tossed the remainder of the wine out. The glass hung down from her hand that now dangled from her side.
He grunted, grasping onto her shoulder. For some reason, he doubted Kaycee met many people she thought of any other way but nice.
"I hate to leave. The night has been so perfect." Her head lolled back against his chest. "But I guess we'd better head back, huh?"
Christ, he hated to see the night end too.
"Whenever you're ready." Gently, he massaged both of her shoulders.
"I'm ready." As her head dropped forward, her arse pressed back into him to send a jolt of arousal through his blood. Lust rushed through him. His prick stiffened. His hands tightened in their caressing.
"Keep that up, and I'll be a puddle of American goo."
Liking the sound of that, his prick went ramrod hard. His breath turned ragged as he continued to administer to her shoulders and upper back.
"Oh, I like that." Her hands reached back to urge his hips forward. His prick pressed into her. "Oh, Miller. I like that even better." She wiggled out of his embrace to swivel around. Standing up on tiptoe, she kissed him below his ear. "Let's go so you can make love to me."
Grabbing her arse, he growled. He liked the sound of that a bloody lot.
Instead of taking her to a campsite as they'd discussed on the flight over, he pulled up to a resort hotel. He had called for reservations during one of her piss breaks.
"This doesn't look like somewhere we can pitch a tent."
"I want you to be comfortable." He wanted her relaxed while he fucked her senseless.
"Thank you." Her lips turned up. Even in the dim light of the parking lot, he could see her dimples. "But, you're already paying for a hotel to store my belongings overnight. Let me cover this one."
"No worries." He leaned over and buzzed her irresistible mouth. "Stay put. You're safer in here away from the bugs."
"But..."
His hand slipped into her hair to urge her to him. In a deep kiss, he savored the wine she'd drunk earlier that lingered on her tongue. "I'll make this as quick as I can."
In his opinion, too much time passed between checking in and getting back to Kaycee. His prick thickened in anticipation of the hours ahead. Eagerness lengthened his stride back to the truck.
Sex.
He'd never looked forward to sex so much before. Had never had a reason to.
She disengaged the locks at his knock on the window. "All set?" she asked, when he climbed in.
Sweat beaded his palms. "Eh." He backed up and swung the truck around to go park. He killed the engine.
"Miller?"
"Eh?" He regarded her.
"Kiss me again." Kaycee leaned over, offering him her mouth. "I've been wanting one since you left me."
Chest tightening, he cut her off with his lips. He tried to be gentle, though her moan provoked a part of him he'd never encountered before her.
"Hmm." Her lips plucked at his. "You're the best kisser."
What a little fruit loop she was. He could count on his hand the amount of women he'd kissed. Though he'd fucked plenty of escorts, he hadn't kissed any. Not since Emily had he spent so much time in lip lock.
Only Kaycee made him feel this lustful, this tender.
She moaned deeply, and he withdrew from the kiss. "Let's get inside, sheila."
No sooner did he follow Kaycee into the room, than he dropped the bags. He straightened up to find her unbuttoning her shirt. Once all the buttons were undone, she let the material slide down her arms to drop to the floor.
His mouth watered at the sight of her breasts held in the cups of her bra. She had the finest rack he'd ever drooled over.
His balls drew up at the sight of her boots already off. Had she untied them in the truck? Quickly, he removed his shirt. Sitting on the edge of the bed, he yanked off his boots and socks too. He didn't take his gaze from her. She slipped off her socks. Shimmied her jeans down over her hips and curvy thighs to kick them off.
Her bra fell to the floor, leaving her breasts fully exposed to his gaze. Her nipples hardened under his stare.
He stood. Plucking the condom from the pocket he'd put it in earlier, he shucked his jeans off.
Three steps put him in front of her, only to have her back up against the wall. He followed to brace a fisted hand on the wall. The other hand came up to rest on her pussy. Her panties were damp to his touch.
At the press of his fingers, she spread her legs, grasped onto his arm and shoulder.
He worked his fingers around her hot spot until she whimpered. "Please, Miller."
A shudder racked his body. His balls tightened in warning. His prick pulsed in need. Oh, fuck. The plea set him on edge. Made him feel alive. Wanted.
"Oh, please..." She rolled her hips as her nails dug into his skin.
Hand trembling, he delved beneath her panties. His fingers burrowed into the swollen folds of her soaked pussy.
Through parted lips, she panted.
Urgently, he attempted to remove her panties with the hand that held the condom.
"Oh, yes." She reached down and helped lower them. Together, they got them low enough for him to use a foot to get them to her ankles.
In earnest, he finger fucked her, his thumb teasing her clit.
"Kiss me." She rolled her hips, her hands clutching at him.
The request nearly brought him to his knees.
He did. No sooner did his lips claim hers than her body tensed, strained in climax. With his lips he adored her. His prick jerked with each squeeze of her hidden muscles on his fingers. He worked her clit until her eyes opened.
Only then did he pull away to roll the condom on. Catching her arse up in his hands, he lifted her up to impale her on his rigid prick.
"Miller!" Her cry rattled his control. His knees trembled.
"Did I hurt you?" He groaned between his teeth. She was so bloody tight. Her legs and arms hugged him close.
"No. No. You feel so good." She panted into his ear. "I just don't want you to hurt yourself."
"What?" He rocked up, shoving his hard muscle deeper.
"Oh..." Her teeth caught the skin on his shoulder only a second before she sucked on him. Marked him.
He shuddered.
Oh, fuck. She made him so hot.
"Sheila..." He growled, loving the feel of her mouth on him. Her arms and legs around him. And her pussy caressing him so intimately.
"Love me." Her lips nibbled on his earlobe. "Love me, Miller."
Oh, fuck.
Release. He needed release.
Eyes closed, in an attempt to hold back his come, he gave her what she wanted. His prick. He'd discovered in the shower she liked to be rode hard. And now, he was merciless with his thrusts. He kept them short and fast with the slightest bend of his knees.
With his body he worshiped her.
Shaking, he hammered into her welcoming depths, wringing gasps and moans from her parted lips.
His mind buzzed high on lust.
He pounded his prick into her sucking depths.
"Miller..." Ecstasy grabbed hold of her with the tensing of her body. She groaned, her body convulsing around his driving muscle.
Sweat poured down his body while he continued to plow his way to climax. He grunted, groaning, strained until his come rushed forward in bursts.
His mind cleared somewhat as her hands traveled over his shoulders. Her pussy still gripped him tightly.
Chest heaving for breath, he eased her down to her feet allowing him to slip from her body. Still trying to calm his heart, he placed his head against hers. Her hands ran up to rest on his chest. One rested over his heart.
"You all right?" Christ, he'd been rough with her. The tenderness she stirred in him returned to constrict his chest.
"Yes." She pressed a kiss to his chin. "But I'm going to clean up."
He grunted, stepping back. On the way to the bathroom, he pulled the condom off. Dropped it in the trashcan before he pissed.
Once he turned around, he met a red-faced Kaycee. She'd put his T-shirt on to cover her body. "You didn't lift the seat up or close the door." She laughed lightly.
Bloody hell, mate. He'd forgotten that Cohen had told him more than once Hayleigh got pissy at him over such things. "Sorry." For a moment, they shared the archway.
Long lashes lowered over her stormy gaze. "You're forgiven." She rose up on her tiptoes, parting her lips in invitation.
The invite wasn't one he'd ever pass up. Not from the Yank. He brushed his mouth over hers.
Miller listened to the rhythm of the water as Kaycee showered. Or tried to.
Kaycee had blown his bloody mind. Sex. He couldn't wrap his mind around how good the fucking was with her. Maybe it was because he'd had so much of it since meeting her. Heavy sexual activity was a new experience for him. One he greatly appreciated. But the fact his attraction might be something else had wormed its way into his mind more than once that day.
No. He was thinking with his prick like some youth.
The sex was great.
And, that was that.
His cell rang as the shower turned off. He reached over and picked it up from where he'd put it before he'd gotten into bed. Noting the number, he thought about letting voice mail pick up, but in the end pressed talk. "G'day."
"M?" His brother Ethan's voice sounded as if he was a great distance away. And in fact, he was. Over a thousand kilometers away across the Land of Oz
"Never known anyone else to answer my phone."
"I left a message a couple hours ago."
He pushed up to lean back on the headboard. "I turned my phone off." He'd planned to call his brother back in the morning.
"I've never known you to turn your cell off."
His brother knew him well. Unless in a no-service area, his phone had always remained on. First time for everything, Miller supposed. He hadn't wanted any interruptions during dinner. "What's up?"
"Denae had our baby."
He closed his eyes. "Congratulations to you both."
"Thanks, mate."
"M?"
"Eh?"
"We had a son."
"A boy. That's excellent."
"We named him Miller."
His chest constricted over the surprise. Fuck. They'd named the little ankle-biter after him.
"Did you hear me, mate?"
"Eh, I did. Give Denae my thanks." He swallowed, finding it more difficult than ever to remain pissed at his brother. Up until the moment he'd learned of his brother's affair with Denae, they'd been best mates. The affair he'd gotten over. The lack of loyalty from his brother he hadn't been able to.
For the past two years, Ethan had made numerous efforts to repair their relationship. But while he could forgive and hoped the best for his brother, he couldn't forget... He forced the surfacing resentment down. "I'm right honored."
Christ, they'd named their son after me.
That said a lot.
"Are you all right?" Kaycee's hand rested on his chest. "You look tense."
He hadn't heard her leave the bathroom. "Eh, one of my brothers." He pointed to the phone.
"Oh, sorry. I'll give you a few minutes then."
Unblinking, he watched her arse shake as she withdrew to the bathroom.
"Big M?"
"Eh?" He sat up and followed her. "Hold on a sec." He knocked on the door. "Kaycee?"
She opened it. "Call over already?"
He glanced down at the cell in his palm. "You don't have to wait in there."
"Are you sure?" She folded her arms over her chest. "I wanted to give you some privacy."
"I'm sure."
"Okay, then." Her hand trailed across his chest, stirring arousal as she passed by.
At the bed, she slipped under the sheet.
"E?"
"Yeah, mate?"
"How's Denae?" He sat on the edge of the mattress, his back to Kaycee.
"Oh, fuck." Ethan groaned. "Don't ever have any ankle-biters. Labor's the hardest thing I've ever gone through."
That was saying a lot, considering E was a rescue swimmer. "You saying it was worse than the jellyfish sting?" Fuck, the man worked in dangerous waters. But their brother, Cohen, had said the same thing after all four of his daughters had been born. Yet he and Hayleigh kept having them.
"M, watching De suffer in labor almost killed me."
So had the bloody jellyfish. It was one of the few times he'd gotten their mum to leave the station.
"Mate, you got company?"
His back stiffened. Indecision hammered his brain.
"Who's Kaycee?"
She wasn't someone he wanted to talk about. Not someone he wanted to share. There was no need. She'd be history tomorrow. His hand tightened on the cell. Tomorrow. "I've got to get some rest."
"M, you hang up on me, and I swear to Christ, I'm not fucking calling back." Anger resonated in Ethan's voice. It gave Miller pause. But not for long. If Ethan was looking for more of a reaction over the baby, over anything, he wasn't giving it. Especially not with Kaycee there.
"Congratulations, mate." He ran his fingers through his hair. "Give De and little Nate my best." Mentioning their oldest son reminded him the boy had a birthday coming up.
"Fuck. I'm done." Ethan cursed before he hung up.
The muscles across his shoulders knotted. Bloody hell. What had Ethan wanted him to say? He'd gone to Ethan and Denae's wedding like his mother had wanted. Hell, he'd even stood at E's side as he'd been expected to, along with their brother, Cohen. But that'd been it.
A time or two when Ethan had called him, he'd been civil. And last year when Denae had called and told them E was in the hospital, he'd flown their mum and Cohen to his bedside.
But it didn't matter what Ethan said, what his mum said... He couldn't forget Ethan had had an affair with the woman he'd been about to marry. Worse, his brother hadn't said a single word about it as the months had passed. His brother's silence had been a betrayal. Ethan had made him feel like a bloody fool. And he refused to be a fool for anyone.
"Hey." Kaycee's arms linked over his shoulders from behind. She hugged him. "You okay?" She kissed the side of his face while he cradled the phone in his hands. "You're very quiet."
He grunted, knowing damn well talking wasn't one of his strong suits.
"I don't mind that you're a man of few words. My mom and..." She ran her fingers through the hair on his chest. "Well, that doesn't matter, I can tell you're tense."
"My brother had a son."
"Oh, how exciting." She gasped, hugging him. "Congratulations."
"Thanks." The show of excitement pleased him. Hell, she didn't even know his brother, yet she was glad for them.
"So, give me the details. Ten fingers? Ten toes? How much did he weigh?"
He grunted. He probably should have asked.
"Was the labor difficult?"
"Eh. Ethan compared it to the sting of a box jellyfish."
"Holy snap." She laughed. "I'm sure it was worse for the baby's mother."
The corner of his mouth curled up. She was so animated. Every one of her smiles, every one of her touches, every reaction she had, gave him a jolt of something addictive. Something unexplainable. "They named the ankle-biter after me."
"Oh, Miller." Wet lips pressed to his cheek in a kiss. "I bet you're so proud."
"Eh, I am." He couldn't be more honored. He supposed it was time he stopped being a pig's arse and told his brother so.
Miller woke to Kaycee's attempt to wiggle out from under the weight of his arm and leg.
"I've got to go to the bathroom."
He groaned, rolling over onto his back. She had to piss a lot. More than he did. He'd noted that on the flight over from Sydney. There was so much he didn't know about women.
The door had no sooner shut than she cried out.
"Kaycee?" Apprehensive he sprang off the bed, heading to find her. What could be wrong? A spider? It was a possibility since huntsman spiders had been known to make a grown man scream.
"Holy shit." She yanked the door open.
Had he heard right? Had she cursed?
"You left the seat up."
"What?" He blinked, trying to see into the darkened room. "Are you hurt?"
"I nearly had a heart attack when I fell into the toilet."
"What?" Amusement rumbled in his chest.
"Miller, are you laughing at my wet bottom?" She flipped the light on.
He blinked as his eyes adjusted. "No, sheila." He tried not to look at her so she wouldn't see his grin. But dammit, he'd forgotten. At home, it was just mum and him. And he had his own pisser.
"Oh, Miller..." Her dimples flashed his way. "You've got the nicest smile I've ever seen." She placed a forearm across her forehead. "Truly, I may swoon...from my suddenly weak knees."
"Sheila." He growled, taking a step forward.
She brought her palms up, resting them on his chest. "You're so, so dreamy when you smile. But still, I must punish you for your lapse in good manners."
"What?" His heart thumped under her caressing fingers. Need stirred, thickening his prick. "What'd you say?" Surely, he'd heard wrong.
"No sleep for you. You must wash my bottom. Bathe me." Her warm lips trailed across his collarbone. After kissing the underside of his chin, she left him to pile her hair up on her head and start the shower.
"Be right back." His stiff prick led the way. He collected protection and joined her.
Naked, she stood under the spray of water. Rivulets ran down her breasts and belly over her hips.
Inside the shower, he put the condom on a tray to take the bottle of liquid soap she passed over. He lathered his hands up and ran them along her shoulders. Taking his time, he bathed, playing with her breasts. Pulled at her nipples. Infatuated, he slowly explored the curves of her lush body. The sounds she made, every response she offered, sent a wave of arousal through him.
Moving closer, she caressed his hands and forearms as he continued to tease her sensitive breasts. Squeezed. Massaged. He couldn't get enough of her skin under his hands. She was so soft compared to him.
She moaned, rolling her head to the side. Her pulse beat wildly.
Craving a taste of the skin he touched, he slid even closer. His prick bumped into her middle. He dipped his head to nuzzle her neck the way she'd done to him. He teased under her earlobe with his tongue. She cried out, arching into his body. Absently, his hands roamed onto her back and arse.
Pebbled nipples stabbed at his chest.
His teeth caught her earlobe, and he tugged.
"Miller..." Clutching at his shoulders, she rolled her hips in a bump and grind act.
Her response to him never failed to provoke his need for release. Or his desire to take her, hold her impossibly closer to him. His prick pulsed along the skin of her belly.
He groaned, squeezing her arse in his hands.
Sharp nails dug into his shoulders, causing him to shudder.
"Turn around, sheila." He sucked on the side of her throat.
"Oh... You know my legs won't hold me." She whimpered as his teeth nipped her delicate flesh.
"Shh." He licked over the area he'd marked. "I'll hold you up." If she responded like before, he'd have to. Last time he'd taken her in the shower, after her climax, her knees had buckled. She'd been so tight. So responsive to his prick. His hands. He wanted that again. Needed it bad. "Let me fuck you."
Her hands tightened on him, probably at his crude language. But she turned away to place her palms flat on the wall. He ripped the condom open and rolled it down, watching her arch her arse up for his entrance.
Because of her short stature, even on her tiptoes, he had to bend his knees to make it into her tight hole.
On a long moan, she dropped her head forward and pushed back onto his rigid length. Bloody fuck, yes. He lost his breath at the first compressions of her inner muscles.
He groaned, thrusting up, deeper.
Nothing had ever felt as good as fucking Kaycee. Nothing. His head buzzed with lust.
"Miller..." More of her weight settled back on him.
"Shh, I'll do the work." Leaning over her, she struggled to stay on her toes as he impaled her deeper. He braced his palm on the wall and wrapped his other hand around her to finger her clit. Gently, he rubbed at the bundle of nerves.
"Oh..." She panted, her head resting back on his shoulder. Her hands clutched at his forearms for support.
He thrust into her willing body and grunted.
Keeping his strokes short, his fingers strummed her clit. His sweat mixed with the water pouring over them. Muscles straining, he worked his hips, giving her what she wanted. What he needed.
With each drive of his prick, she moaned.
With each pull of his prick, she whimpered.
With each press of his fingers, she quivered.
He worked his hips to speed up the pace, deepen the thrusts.
Miller groaned as she orgasmed. Her pussy clenched at him in tiny convulsions. Trembling, he adored her with his working body while her climax peaked and faded.
"So good. You make me feel so good." She relaxed her body. He accepted all of her weight. His hand left her clit so he could wrap his arm around her middle.
Only then did he set about bringing on his own release. He fucked her hard, fast and furiously.
So good. You make me feel so good. Her words hammered in his head while his prick hammered into her caressing depths. The feeling was mutual. She made him feel good. So bloody good.
Christ, sheila. He tensed with the approaching pleasure. Mind buzzing on pleasure, his come burst from his balls in violent pulses of his prick. His hips jerked on every hot stream.
He hugged her close, trying to catch his breath. Using his mouth, he nuzzled her ear.
You make me feel so good.
Kaycee lay on the bed in a patch of sunlight from the open balcony. She pushed her journal away, the entry complete. Her body was deliciously sore from Miller's lovemaking. He was a rough lover. Yet she'd never experienced such desire before. Not ever.
Certainly not with Doug.
Butterflies flittered to life in her stomach as she rolled over to look outside. Regret tore through her to settle in her heart. She hated the idea of saying goodbye to Miller.
How had she developed affection for him in such a short time? How easy some people had it. Gina hadn't ever mentioned any of the men she'd fooled around with as anything other than a fun time.
Casual.
This she could handle. She could do casual. She could get through this parting.
The bed dipped. Miller's callused hand ran along her upper arm.
Warm lips pressed a kiss to the curve of her shoulder. "You need a nap?"
A moan poured from her throat. "A nap would be nice." With Miller, a nap would be heavenly. How easy it'd been to get used to his company. To his touch. To his sexy accent. "But..."
"What?" He eased away, only to slip under the sheet with her. His warm body snuggled closer.
The hair on his chest tickled her back, and she wiggled. She didn't know if she tried to escape or burrow against him deeper. "We need to get going." Regrettably, it was time to go back to Alice Springs, to her belongings and eventually a flight away from Miller.
"About that." His fingers ran down her arm to entwine with hers. "When are you supposed to leave Alice?"
Breath caught in her throat, she rolled over. Her heart kicked up in excitement at the prospect of spending more time with him. Surely, he wouldn't have asked...
Groaning, he lowered his head to string lingering kisses on her breasts.
Regretful of how little time she had left before she needed to be at the airport, she sighed. "I've two more nights before I make my connecting flight." She was to meet a pilot for an interior flight. Hopefully to a new beginning.
"Any definite plans?" His teeth nipped at a nipple. The muscles in her stomach clenched. Her breasts swelled.
"No. No." Her heart beat wildly. Only wanted to squeeze in as much as she could. So many things to do, so little time. More importantly, she wanted as much time with him as possible.
"Any ideas of what you want to do here on your holiday?"
She moaned, arching her body as he licked down toward her navel. His touch roused hot desire. Kindled the promise of fulfillment.
"The East and West MacDonnell Ranges sound lovely."
"Eh, I can show you them from my birdie." His tongue circled over her skin to coax her arousal. It trailed a slow path. Sweet sensations swirled hotly. She'd never known her stomach to be so sensitive.
At the scrape of his teeth on the underside of a breast, she gasped. "I... I'd like to see camels. I didn't even know Australia had camels."
"Eh, we do." He teased a nipple again. "They do well in the desert climate."
"I want to see waterfalls." Her fingers tangled in his thick hair.
"I can show you waterfalls."
Oh... "I'd like to dance with a local tribe at a corroboree."
Once more, his kisses headed south. Moisture flooded from her sex, her outer pussy lips swelled as her clit tightened.
Arching her hips, she encouraged him to continue the sweet torment. "I'd like to listen to the primitive sound of a didgeridoo." She thrust her hips up when his mouth passed by her bellybutton.
"Sounds like you've forgotten trying witchetty grub." His tongue dragged across her stimulated stomach.
"Ew... No, thank you." She laughed, rubbing his back. She wanted everything that was part of a unique outback experience except more Australian delicacies. Yuck.
"Eh, I'll show you everything we have time for."
Looking into his darkened gaze, she whimpered. "Miller..."
"Eh?"
"I want to do anything, see anything, as long as it's with you." The admission tore from her before she could stop it.
A rough groan vibrated along her skin from where his mouth pressed.
Yes, she no longer cared what she was able to see. All she wanted was as much of him as she could get.
"I'll show you whatever we can fit in."
"Wonderful. But now, I'd like for you to make love to me." He had to or she'd scream.
"Eh, I plan to." His teeth nipped her hip.
"Miller..."
"First, tell me if you like this." Leaning up, he used his fingers to expose her inner folds. "Spread your legs, sheila."
Inner muscles clenched in delight, she did as he asked, allowing him room to place his lips over her tight clit.
Growling, he forced one of her legs back so he could shift into a better position. He didn't stop sucking as he settled down between her spread legs. Only then did he release her clit to tongue her folds. Dip into her aching body.
His hands gripped her bottom.
Kaycee lost her breath.
Lost her mind.
Liquid heat bubbled in her core.
He buried his tongue deep. She pulled her legs back, trying to take him deeper still. "Oh...Miller." What he was doing... "Oh, please..."
Don't stop.
Don't stop.
He didn't. He was attentive to her tingling clit and dripping hole. He'd suck her sensitive flesh through pounding heartbeats and shove his tongue in deep. He worked it in and out of her at a maddening pace.
She whimpered, arched. Muscles strained, awash by the approaching avalanche of unstoppable sensations.
Bliss hummed, wrenching a cry from her. "Miller." He made her come. She tensed on the first shockwave. Pure pleasure pulsed from the inside outward.
He kept his face buried until the inner clenching of her walls stopped.
Weak, she let her legs go. "Love me..." She didn't have to ask twice.
He climbed up onto his knees to position himself over her. The head of his length prodded her opening. On a single push, his big cock slid up between her splayed thighs, filling her up. Stretched her with his wide girth until he settled balls deep.
She moaned, clutched at his shoulders. Her knees hugged his bucking hips. "I love your hard body in me." Liquid heat coiled tightly while he grunted and strained to carry her closer to the edge. Her fingers held on to his heaving shoulders. "I love the feel of your warm body covering mine." Breathless, she planted kisses on his jaw and throat as he rocked back and forth. "You feel so good..." She quivered at the building sensations washing over her nerve endings.
On a groan, he upped the tempo of his pace. With sweat coating his back, he worked harder to bring her pleasure. His powerful arms trembled as he kept his weight off her. She whimpered, sucking on his shoulder to mark him.
She wanted him closer.
So much closer.
"More!" She gasped, his cock creating a delicious fever inside her depths.
She wanted him deeper.
So much deeper.
"Please more."
She wanted so much more of him...
"Please, please..." Her nails dug in as the blaze of liquid heat filled her. "Miller!"
He grunted and groaned on every thrust of his hips. Brutally, he ground into her until she came apart. She splintered, shattered like a pane of glass. Miller was there with her, his body jerking inside of her in release.
Kaycee loved the feel of him breathing hard. Loved the pounding of his heart against her breast. Loved how his lips trailed along her temple after he climaxed.
Hugging his neck, she pressed kisses to his face. When he pulled away, she allowed him to go. He rolled over onto his back and removed the rubber. The wide expanse of his chest rose and fell under her hand.
"Hmm, that was yummy." She pushed up to sit so she could reach his mouth. He looked tired. Gently, she buzzed his lips with her own.
He didn't open his eyes.
Impulsively, she leaned down and smacked a kiss on his fat cock.
"Kaycee." He'd opened one eye.
A grin turned her mouth up. "It looks so sleepy."
A sound resembling amusement rumbled from his chest.
She laughed and climbed out of bed. "I'm going to go clean up so we can get out of here."
"Good plan, sheila." She took the condom from him. "I'm going to lay here and rest a minute."
From the waist, she leaned over for a final kiss. This time, he kissed her back.
"Let's slip in here a minute." Where Kaycee led, Miller followed. There was no thinking straight at this point. Shopping. They were doing some shopping before lunch. Or rather, Kaycee was picking some things out.
This was another first for him. He'd never shopped for the hell of it. Jeans. A good pair of boots. Motor parts. Tools. Engine parts. Or something for the station were his boundaries for purchases. Hell, Co had taught him how to order necessities online so he didn't even have to leave his home.
But these stalls that contained goods were a first. Kaycee liked browsing. She liked touching things. While he liked ogling her. She wore a short dress that clung to her breasts and flared loose to mid-thigh. He wanted to know what was hidden under the bright, blue material. The hem would sway as she moved to relentlessly tease him. Once he saw her in her panties he'd want her naked.
He liked holding her hand too. Since they'd left the previous shop, she'd kept her fingers entwined between his. Handholding. The intimate contact had him feeling possessive. She was with him and everyone who looked knew it.
With his thumb he rubbed the soft skin of her hand.
For a moment, she looked around. "Okay, we can go." She tugged on his hand. "This boutique specializes in bathing suits." She tried to pull him unsuccessfully back toward the exit. "Come on."
Confused, he eyed the nearby bikinis.
"Itty bitty swimsuits." She laughed. "My big bottom won't fit in any of those." She gave a twist of her hips, shaking the loose dress around. "I know what works for my flaws and what doesn't."
Flaws? What a little fruit loop.
Her dimples appeared. "Like this baby doll dress you've been admiring all morning."
He grunted. "Your pretty arse would look..."
Gasping, she covered his mouth with a hand. "Miller, people will hear you." She smiled for him. "Come on. I want to run back into that last shop." He allowed her to lead the way. "You've been so patient. How about you pick our next activity?"
A groan rumbled up. What he wanted was to toss that dress up she wore and fuck her senseless. Who knew a bloody dress could be such a turn-on?
"Are you hungry?" She glanced up at him as they moved along in the crowded centre.
"You hungry?" It was getting to be about lunchtime.
"I asked you first." She squeezed his fingers and rubbed his forearm with her free hand. She walked incredibly close to him. "Oh, here it is." She let him go. "Now, I want you to wait right here." With her palms, she urged him to back out of everyone's way. "I know exactly what I'm going inside for. I'll be right back."
He frowned, only to follow her inside.
She sighed at his approach. Quickly, she collected a bracelet. Walking backward a moment, she headed for the checkout. "This is for my sister. Not me, okay?"
Not caring who it was for, he grunted. He was still going to pay for it.
"Are you listening to me, Miller?" She got in line behind two older sheilas.
"Eh." He pulled his wallet out, though he didn't want her upset with him. Dammit. He liked spending money on her. He had plenty. And there was a time when he hadn't had shit.
I'm marrying John Ashlan. He's a man who can give me everything I want.
He pushed Emily's betrayal away. Kaycee wasn't Emily. Besides, they had an agreement. The Yank would be gone in no time. Their time together was already a done deal.
"Oh, Miller. Please don't." Gray eyes met his. She took his hand. "Please don't, okay?" She tried to urge him away from the others but he was unmovable.
"You're back." The clerk greeted them.
"Yes, I just had to grab one more thing." Kaycee handed over the jewelry and tried to crowd the counter. But Miller was taller. So he simply passed him a bill over her shoulder.
"Thank you." The transaction and farewells were completed in moments.
For the first time that morning, Kaycee didn't take his hand as they left the store. Hesitantly, he placed his hand on her shoulder. Intimacy of any kind wasn't something he'd ever had in his life. With shaky fingers, he caressed her bare skin. This closeness set him on edge. How easy it'd be to get used to her presence in his life.
"Thank you, again." Kaycee's arm went around his waist, allowing her to rub his back. "You shouldn't do that, you know?"
"No worries." He kept careful hold on her while they made their way through a milling group. "You want to go into another shop?"
"No." She hugged his middle. "Why don't we drop my bags off and then get some lunch?"
Though he didn't mind carrying her bags, she had a bloody fine plan. "All right, let's cut over that way." He steered her along. Thankfully their hotel wasn't far from the shopping centre.
Kaycee took his hand as the people thinned out. "I enjoyed myself."
"Excellent." His thumb rubbed the soft skin of her hand.
"I love these sandals you bought me." As they came to a stop, she wiggled a foot. They'd spent an hour in a shoe shop where he'd discovered she had a thing for shoes.
He urged her inside the hotel. "Bloody impractical." But he noticed she liked impractical things. Sandals. Jewelry. Clothes. And every time she'd been interested in something for herself, she'd asked for his opinion. His opinion. As if he had one on things he knew absolutely nothing about.
"They're pretty though." She grinned before leading him over to the elevator.
Inside, he pushed the button for their floor while she backed into a corner. She took his hand once more to bring him closer.
When she stood on tiptoe, he leaned down for a kiss. Eagerly, he sipped from the sweetness of her mouth. Her hands slipped over his shoulders. His free hand roamed up her thigh and under her dress. His fingers sought to discover if she wore any panties.
"Miller." She gasped, grabbing his exploring fingers. "You're going to show someone my panties."
Straightening, he blinked. "We're alone."
"There could be cameras." Her dimples dazzled him, yet he snorted. Cameras?
"Come on, Native." She brushed past him.
Like a well-trained hound, he followed the sway of her hips. Did she have panties beneath the dress?
Inside their room, he set her belongings down. Wiped his suddenly sweaty palms on his jeans.
Across the room, in front of the mirror, Kaycee fiddled with her hair.
His prick swelled again, just watching her.
Bloody fuck. He wasn't used to this raging lust. The way she kept him aroused couldn't be good for his blood pressure. Already he'd developed an appetite for her. Insatiable, he wanted to taste her, memorize her every response.
This time, he moved to her and grasped her waist. His fingers knotted in the material of the dress, only to relax and caress her waist and hips. On a ragged breath, he dipped his head to nuzzle her neck. Her shoulder.
She moaned at the feel of his mouth on her. Arched her arse back into his heavy prick. "Hmm...you made me feel delicious while you watched me." Again, she rolled her arse back.
He grunted, enjoying the feel of her round arse. On another thrust of her hips, his balls tingled a warning. She'd been teasing him all morning. Fingers trembling, he slipped them under the hem of her dress. The skin of her thighs was silky soft, as was that of her hips. His lips lingered on her throat, causing her to roll her head on a moan.
The cloth of her panties caught on his fingers. He clasped the thin strips that stretched across her hips.
"Oh, don't tear the lace." She grabbed his hands, rolled her arse back once more.
His prick pulsed hotly. Need trembled through his body. He wanted to rip the fragile cloth to get to what was hidden beneath.
"Come with me over to the bed." She wiggled away from him, only to crawl up on the mattress.
He followed her, latched onto one of her legs.
She laughed and squirmed but he didn't let her go. He flipped the dress up to reveal see-through lace that matched the dress she wore. The material did nothing to conceal her rounded arse. Another surge of arousal shot through his blood.
Growling, he yanked the panties from her hips to unwrap her pretty arse.
She helped him get them off her legs.
Then Kaycee rolled over onto her back. She clutched at his shoulders as he moved to cover her. "Hmm, make love to me." She lifted her head for a kiss. Her mouth was teasing and sweet against his. On a moan, she pulled his shirt up along his back. "Help me get this off you." Again, she kissed him. "I want to feel your chest on my breasts."
Braced on a forearm, they worked his T-shirt off. Immediately, her hands roamed over his chest, and then his back when he readjusted his position over her to get the shirt off his other arm.
Once he was settled, she hurriedly got the dress sleeves off her shoulders and arms to reveal her breasts. But she didn't let him look his fill. Instead, she cradled his face in her hands and urged him down for another kiss. Her tongue and lips teased and toyed with his until he couldn't breathe.
He groaned at the feel of her warm body arching into his. He trembled at the feel of her hands caressing his body, her knees cradling him.
"Oh, Miller..." Her lips nibbled at his. "I love kissing you, but I want you inside me now." Her hands worked their way between them to try and get his pants undone.
He shuddered and broke the contact of their bodies to do the chore himself. "Roll over."
She scrambled up onto her hands and knees. The dress bunched up on her waist.
His hands shook as he put the protection on.
Like a stallion would a mare, he covered her quivering body and pushed his strained muscle balls deep.
"Oh...this feels so good." Kaycee cried out and dropped her head down. "You make me feel so good..."
Sweat broke out on his brow, his chest. He was bloody sure she was the one that made him feel good. Made fucking feel so bloody good. He couldn't get enough of her company, her attention. And the sex...
His balls tingled in need for release. Bloody fuck, he was close to the edge.
"Miller..." Her hands balled the sheet up. "Don't come yet." She arched her arse up.
Urgently, he set about bringing her pleasure. Gripping her hips, he held her in place while he thrust his prick in and out of her tight body. He fixated on her need. Her desire. The love sounds she made on every stroke of his rigid muscle drove him closer to release.
Fighting for control, he bucked his hips, plunging deep over and over, pressing deeper still on every thrust of his prick. The momentum of his working hips increased on every slap of their skin.
Kaycee's cries echoed in his numbing mind. "Miller!" Her body teased, arched in climax as her inner muscles convulsed around his buried length.
He groaned, thrust a final time and let go. His prick jerked on each stream of his come.
Chest heaving, he managed to get his jeans back up over his arse before he collapsed beside her on the bed. She shifted over to rest her head on his shoulder. His arm went around her to hold her close.
Her hand rested over his pounding heart. "Hmm, I want to do that again." She leaned up to place a kiss on his jaw.
As his prick swelled, he laughed roughly and rolled over to face her. Christ, she was going to kill him at this rate. And he wouldn't have a single word of complaint as he approached death.
"That's a very nice sound." She kissed him, her hands splayed on his chest.
His lashes lowered at the brush of her lips on his mouth. Laughter wasn't something he did. Had little reason in his world to laugh over. Kaycee made him feel young. Made him wish for impossible things.
"So, can we?"
He growled, wanting nothing more than to stay in the room all day fucking. But they needed lunch. And he had things he wanted to show her. Experiences he wanted to share with her. When she left him, he wanted her to have memories of him, of their time together.
"Can we?" Another kiss played over his lips. "Can we?"
"Eh." He returned the embrace of her mouth. "Later. After lunch."
"Oh, you're hungry?"
"Eh, I worked up an appetite while you..." A grin tugged his lips up. "Enjoyed yourself." Eh, she liked having him fuck her senseless.
"Miller!" She ducked her head as laughter shook her shoulders. "I worked...some."
He snorted.
"Miller!"
With a hand, he lifted her head so he could see her face. A deep blush had spread over her cheeks. Unable to stop himself, he teased, "Eh, you kept your pretty arse up for me."
"Miller..." Though she bit her lower lip, her dimples showed. "I'll do the work next time."
Knowing different, he grunted.
"I will!" She pushed playfully at his shoulders. "Oh, you big tease, help me find my panties." She wiggled, and he let her go.
He found the scrap of material first under his shirt. He sniffed them, earning another cry from her.
"Holy snap, Miller!" She reached for them. "Don't smell them!"
He inhaled again before she was able to get them from him.
His chest heaved on both amusement and arousal. Her panties had smelled fine. More than fine. They'd been damp from her arousal.
While he watched, she wiggled back into them, and then she adjusted her dress. Looking into the mirror, she shook her head. "You've wrinkled my dress."
A frown creased his brow. The dress was as seductive as it'd always been. He didn't see any wrinkles. And if he had made any, they were well earned.
In the mirror, she met his gaze. "You know if you don't get out of that bed I'm going to crawl back into it."
"I'm up." Reluctantly, he swung from the bed. "I'm up." He had a full day of activities planned for them.
Kaycee lay on her elbows, resting back on the blanket in a complete daze. In awe, she looked out at the ocean from Mindil Beach. Around them existed nothing but a tropical paradise.
The country was so diverse.
Miller had surprised her. After he'd shown her breathtaking mountain ranges and all the little pools hidden on them, he'd flown them on to Darwin instead of back to Alice Springs. For once, she'd been glad she tended to over-pack.
He'd explained "the Alice" was Australia's capital of crime, and she'd have a better time out here. All she'd been able to do was squeal in delight. Even now, she was giddy. It wasn't just from the view. No, Miller kept surprising her time and again. How easily he made her feel special. And how comfortable she was with him.
No matter what she did, she couldn't get a grasp on her emotions. Her head hadn't stopped buzzing with nervousness and excitement.
And sadness.
There was no forgetting the sadness. Because once they went to bed tonight, she'd have only one more night with Miller left.
Time had never raced by so quickly in her life.
She sighed. Things no longer felt casual with Miller. At least, not for her.
If only...
Her teeth caught her lower lip, and she gnawed on it. Now she was being silly. This was no more than a few days full of sexual gratification.
And memories.
Some of her best memories ever.
"Get your fill?" Miller's knuckles rubbed her hand. He didn't turn to face her. Simply stayed in the same position she was in.
"Dinner was delicious." They'd shared a Greek platter. She licked her lips. The aromas of the marketplace tempted her taste buds. There'd been so much to decide between. "Lunch was yummy too." The café they'd dined at earlier in the day had been something out of a fantasy.
"Want to shop some more?"
"Uh-uh." Nope. Though she'd enjoyed exploring the arts and crafts wares, she was quite content here. She'd have picked up another trinket or two for her mom and little sister if she'd gone back. But every time she'd shown interest in something, Miller had bought it for her. That'd unsettled her a bit. He didn't have to buy her things. This was casual. Nothing more.
All she wanted was more of him.
He stretched out, folding his hands under his head. She didn't hesitate to snuggle up to him. She used the crook of his arm for a pillow and placed her hand on his broad chest.
The sea breeze cooled their skin, and from her position she ogled the growing bulge in his pants. Her fingers caressed his chest as her own blood quickened with liquid fire. She scrunched her thighs together to hang on as the sweet sensations developed.
Closing her eyes, she soaked in the atmosphere, along with Miller's masculine scent. Dreamy and delicious. She shivered.
"Cold?" His powerful arm came around her, his hand resting on her hip.
"Not at all." She listened to his exhale. His chest rose and fell in a deep breath. "Are we staying for the fireworks?"
"Whatever you want, sheila."
Whatever I want. If only that were true. She'd suspend time and linger here with him a little longer.
"Hmm." Her nails raked over a flat nipple.
He grunted and caught her teasing hand. "There's Shenanigans Pub or a couple of clubs if you like that sort of thing." His thumb rubbed back and forth over her knuckles, stimulating her skin. Who knew hands could be sensitive?
She shifted up to rest her arm over his shoulder. She traced his strong jaw line with her fingertips. "I've never been into the club scene." He closed his eyes as she continued to trace the lines of his handsome face. "How about you?"
"Nope. Though, I've never turned down a bucket of piss."
Her nose curled. Though beer did taste bad enough to be called that. "So, you want to go to the pub then?"
"Nope."
Gently, her fingertips lingered over his lips. She loved his mouth.
Suddenly, he faked a bite.
Yelping, she pulled her hand back in time at the clink of his teeth. She laughed, and slapped playfully at his chest. "You're a bear, not a crocodile."
He kissed her fingertips when they returned to their play. "Sorry."
She snorted. He wasn't the least bit sorry. In fact, there was the smallest lift to the corners of his mouth. Desire swelled her breasts.
Oh, how she loved the look of amusement on him. She had a feeling he didn't smile often. "So, we're staying for the fireworks?"
"Eh."
"I've had a wonderful day here." She sighed wistfully. "I hate to see it end."
The hand on her hip massaged her back and bottom. "I've a feeling you'll enjoy tomorrow even more."
"Oh, really?" She regarded his closed eyes.
"Eh, I've another surprise planned."
Excitement and eagerness stole her breath. "Oh, I love surprises." Warmth. Weakness constricted under her breast. He was doing it again. Making her feel special. Making her feel like this, they mattered.
Lips aquiver, she pressed them to his mouth. This mattered. They mattered to her. She brushed his mouth with another kiss. "What is it?"
A sound rumbled from his chest. "I'm pretty sure a surprise is kept secret."
She moaned, hating well-kept surprises. Her mom had always been so good at keeping gifts secret from her. And her sister had always taken evil enjoyment in teasing her with the fact she knew what mom had gotten her.
What are the chances he's not as good at secrets as mom is?
Highly doubtful, she pouted. "Can I at least have a hint?"
"Eh." The corners of his lips turned up again. "You said you wanted to see a swimming hole, right?"
"So, it's someplace to swim?"
"Eh." His hand continued a steady rhythm on her body.
"But not someplace we've been?"
"Right."
"That's not very helpful." Australia was gigantic. She'd never be able to guess where he had in mind.
"Nope."
"Humph." She shifted back down to use him as a pillow. Restless, she worked her fingers under his shirt to run them in the mat of hair that covered his muscular chest.
"Sheila." He recrossed his feet.
She noted that when she caressed him, it made him a little crazy. Turned him on big time. A fact she liked a lot. So, she'd taken to doing it more and more. She loved touching his strapping body. The man shouldn't do anything with a shirt on. She supposed some women might not like the hair that covered his chest and trailed down to his waist. To her, it made him more masculine.
Best yet, every time she felt him, it sent a spark of arousal through her own system. She didn't even try to understand her response to him. Only embraced it. Relished in the sweet sensations, the liquid heat.
Her nail scraped over a hardened nipple. "So, is there anything I can do to earn another...more useful hint?"
"What?" His breathing rough, he caught her wrist, trapping her hand under the material. "What did you have in mind?"
"Hmm, if we weren't on the beach smack dab in front of a crowd..." She folded her leg over his to snuggle closer. Her extended nipples poked at him through their clothes. Oh, she couldn't get enough of teasing him. He was so responsive to her touch. It gave her an incredible sense of power, of sex appeal. "I'd do something truly wicked."
"Wicked, eh?"
"Oh, yes. So very wicked." Her foot massaged his legs. "I'd use my tongue on that bulge in your pants." Moisture pooled between her thighs.
A growl rumbled out of his throat. His hand gripped her wrist more securely as if he feared she'd grab his cock. And she would have too. She might be able to get by with rubbing him in the semidarkness of the beach.
Not only did her touches make him crazy, but she'd noticed when she talked to him during foreplay or sex, it turned him on. She used that to her advantage now. "I wouldn't be able to take much of it into my mouth." She moaned, heat tightening the muscles in her stomach at the words. "But I'd try to stuff what I could in."
"Enough, sheila." His chest heaved.
"Do you want to go back to our room now?" she asked, half hoping he did.
"Eh." He swallowed, his hand once again caressing her hip. "But we'll watch the show."
"Later we'll make our own fireworks?"
"Eh."
"And you'll tell me what the surprise is?"
"No." Amusement rumbled in his chest.
Purposefully, she released a long, drawn-out sigh. "You're not going to give in, are you?"
"Nope."
She hated surprises. "Well, I bet I can wear you down."
"Okay, sheila. I'll give you another hint for persistence."
Miller stood waist deep in the pool of clear water. "Come on, sheila." He beckoned to Kaycee. The Yank had been ecstatic until only moments ago.
"Are you sure there are no crocodiles in this swimming hole?" She shielded her eyes to scan the water.
Again, he gave a nod of his head. "It's safe enough."
"I can take in Mother Nature's splendor right here. The waterfall is lovely." She waved her free hand. "Go on, I'll scream if I see anything heading your way."
"You wanted to swim, remember?" He surveyed her from head to toe. What a looker she was. Even her modest one-piece swimsuit turned him on.
"Yes." Her teeth raked her lower lip. "But now I'm nervous."
Determined to get her in the water, he advanced.
Her eyes widened as she took a step backward. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing." He shuffled closer.
"Humph." She moved back two more steps. "Your eyes have darkened."
"You saying you can read my eyes?" He'd never known another to be able to read him. Or if they had, they never called him on it.
"Yes." She nodded adamantly. "Yes, I can." Squealing, she took off when he lunged for her. "Wait! I can't run!" An easy burst of laughter echoed between the walls of the mountains.
He caught her before she made good on an escape. "Gotcha." He hefted her up in his arms.
"That wasn't fair." Her arms went around his neck. "I can't run without a bra on."
He grinned, walking back into the pool. She was a little fruit loop. Playful. An opposite to him. And damn, he liked her all the more for it. Christ, he couldn't get enough of her. He'd never felt so alive before.
"I think I saw this park on Animal Planet." She kicked her feet, sprinkling water over them. "Or maybe it was The Travel Channel. No, it had to be Animal Planet. It was about predators." Eyes narrowed, she regarded the top of the water.
"Litchfield doesn't have a real problem with crocs the way other parks do." He didn't let her go, just held her when the water rested at his bellybutton.
"But still, there could be a croc hidden somewhere." Her arms tightened around him.
"Freshies are harmless." He nuzzled her temple. "Puny compared to the vicious salties."
"Ack, don't talk about them." She stretched her arm out. "You think I'm joking, but look, I have goose bumps."
"Eh, you do. But I want you to trust me." His lips played across her skin on her shoulder. "The top-end parks are where there's a real worry."
"Okay. Okay." She sighed. Her head rolled back as her arms loosened on him. "Fine. I guess if I'm going to be a meal for some croc, it might as well be with you." With another sigh, she went limp in his embrace.
He snorted and held her weight up. The little fruit loop had pretended to faint. It tickled him when she played.
Dimples deep in her cheeks, she wrapped her arms back around him. "I trust you. But you'll stay real close, right?"
"Eh."
"That way if there is a hungry freshie around, it'll pick you instead of me."
Miller shook his head. But he didn't tell her a freshie would go after something smaller than him if it was hungry. "If there was a freshie in here, it'd be more pissed over invasion of territory than anything else."
"Boy, that's comforting." She placed a light kiss on his mouth. "Not."
"Sorry." He took his time kissing her lips, before deepening a quick kiss of his own. "You ready to swim now?"
"Um, no." Arms clinging, she sighed. "I'm quite comfortable, thank you very much."
After lifting her higher, he walked deeper into the water.
"I love it here. I love your country."
His chest constricted. He loved his country. All of it. It pleased him the Yank saw it the same way.
Mate, she doesn't know what she's saying. It's just an impulsive comment. But still the comment affected him. Made him weak. What if she did see his world the way he did? What would it be like to have Kaycee at his side on a daily basis? Would she be able to tolerate the hardships that came hand-in-hand with the land's beauty?
He released a breath. How would he ever forget about the time he'd shared with the Yank? Not in his life had he been close to another like this. He'd done his best to keep things impersonal but he'd failed. He'd allowed her to crawl inside him. When she left there'd be an empty space.
Kaycee's lips nibbled his jaw line. "I enjoyed examining the Lost City too."
Earlier, they'd visited another area of the park. Seen sandstone block and pillar formations sculpted by wind and rain over thousands of years. "I'm glad, sheila." His hands tightened on her. Christ, he'd been enjoying himself in her company. He couldn't get enough of the fucking, but he liked just being with her. Listening to her.
Miller blinked to gaze down at what had to be the most talkative Yank he'd ever met.
Scratch that.
Kaycee Hollenbeck was the most talkative individual he'd ever met.
The woman hadn't stopped running her mouth since they'd hooked up on the flight. The thing that got him most was she had the nicest mouth. A kissable, fuckable mouth. So the talking wasn't so bad. He'd gotten used to it. Her voice would linger with him a long time after she was gone.
Nor had he missed the fact she smiled a lot too. He'd not known what a smile could do to a man until he'd met her.
She talked, and he watched. So far, he hadn't been able to stop himself. She was something to gaze upon.
"So we can really swim under the waterfall?"
"Eh."
"I can't believe I'm about to swim under a waterfall. This place is postcard perfect." She let out a noisy breath. "Okay, my courage is up now." The arms around him loosened.
"You sure?" He didn't mind holding her. Not at all.
"Uh-huh." She stared over at the cascading water. "Do you think there're any snakes hidden back..."
Laughter rumbled up. Hell, she was going to psych herself out again at this rate. He tossed her in the water.
She came up sputtering. "Miller!"
The next few minutes were spent swimming and splashing one another. It brought back memories of him with his brothers when they were young.
Only difference was when he caught Kaycee, she always kissed him. He moaned as her tongue teased his. She clung to him while he worked to keep them afloat.
"Hmm." She pulled away to brush a wave of water at his chest.
"Come on, Yank." Using long strokes, he swam past where she was treading water.
At the edge of the pouring waterfall, he stopped to wait for her to catch up. When she was at his side, he caressed her cheek. "I'll be right back."
"Oh, no! Wa---" She reached for him.
But he didn't wait, he dove under the water. He swam under the waterfall to the other side. He wanted to make sure that they didn't surface to interrupt anything. He also wanted to make sure there was nothing slithering around to creep Kaycee out. Deciding it was an all clear, he swam out.
"Miller!" She clutched at him while he kept them afloat. "Don't ever leave me out here like that again."
"Shh, it's all right. Come on." Urging her to follow, he backstroked under the rushing stream. She never left his side until they cleared the fall.
Together, they made their way to a natural shelf. He helped her up before climbing up himself.
She sat Indian style with her head turned to him. "You can't keep your legs in the water."
He frowned down at where his calves disappeared under the surface.
"I'll worry the whole time we rest here."
With a shake of his head, he pulled his legs up and bent one knee up to rest his forearm over it.
Kaycee twisted to face him, leaned in and pressed her lips to his. "Thank you." She moaned as he deepened the kiss. Their tongues danced around one another's. He wrapped an arm around her as he scooted her closer. He groaned at the feel of her hands on his chest. His shoulders. Neck. Her fingers tangled into his hair while her head dropped back giving him complete access to her greedy mouth.
He growled, catching her every breath as he tried to get his fill of her sweetness.
Trembling, she broke the kiss. "I loved the Sounds of Silence, I loved the sightseeing." Her mouth nibbled at his. "Loved the beach last night. And today... God, it's all been so great exploring the territory's best-kept secrets with you. Loved swimming with you." Her thick lashes lowered.
Heart pounding, he cupped her face, caressed her skin with his thumbs.
Christ, he'd had a bloody excellent time too. He'd made a call to the station manager. Luke had told him exactly where to take Kaycee for a good time. Luke took holidays throughout the year. Miller had never had time for them. But for Kaycee he'd made time.
This time with the Yank he'd never forget, even when he was old and feeble. He was damn glad to be able to provide her with the outings.
"But now, I want us to go back to Alice." She dropped her head, nuzzled his chin. He brushed his mouth to the top of her head. "I want us to go back to Alice and not leave the hotel until tomorrow..."
Oh, bugger me.
Tomorrow.
Bloody fuck.
His breathing turned ragged.
After tomorrow, he'd never see her again. He clasped her shoulders. "Whatever you want, Yank." Whatever you want.
Miller sat hunched in the tub, ogling Kaycee as she cleaned her teeth. He'd never watched another take care of their teeth before. It was an intimate task. The kind between lovers and married folk.
How easy it'd be to get used to her sharing his life.
Clearly, he was losing his mind to think about what was impossible. She was on holiday. And in the end the bloody world separated them. Besides, hard life lessons had taught him good things like Kaycee never panned out.
Best to focus on what had brought them together. Sex. The hottest sex of his life. Her arse that had his full attention now.
Her round arse peeked out from beneath the nightshirt she wore. Her cheeks couldn't be contained in her panties.
Eh, a fine arse. Curvy thighs and hips. And breasts that made him want to squeeze his prick between them until his load erupted. Her nearness kept him hard. Half the time he felt like an uncontrollable stud stallion. The rest of the time he felt as if he were a teen again.
Bugger me.
Good things like Kaycee didn't happen to him. He'd had another excellent day with her. As much as she'd wanted to stay in, he'd forced her out to see a couple of attractions Alice had to offer. She'd liked the botanical gardens, but hadn't been too thrilled at the reptile center.
She was a wuss, though cute as bloody hell. Prissy too. He liked to watch her fuss with her hair. Straighten her clothes.
Slowly, his gaze roamed up her delectable body to take in the exposed skin on her back. Her sculpted shoulders.
What a bloody beauty she is.
When she met his gaze in the mirror, she blew him a kiss.
His chest caught in an ache he was beginning to get used to. This was one of those moments she made him feel young again.
"Is the water getting cold?"
"Not yet."
After she washed and dried her face, she joined him at the tub. She sat on the edge at his back. "Lean up for me so I can wash your back."
His semi-erect prick thickened, stiffening at the mere thought of her bathing him in such a way.
Still, only hesitantly did he do as she bid. His back held scars from his childhood. Countless times his father had laid his back open. The old man had a temper. At least when it'd come to him. There'd been no pleasing the man. Christ knew he'd worked his arse off trying.
Using a soapy rag, she lathered and scrubbed his shoulders before moving down his back.
On a groan, his head dropped forward. She took the opportunity to clean the back of his neck. She was thorough in her attention. If he'd been standing, her continued touch would have brought him to his knees.
How was she able to make him feel so weak? So bloody good? What about her made him want to bare his soul? He trembled with a vulnerability he'd never understand.
She scrubbed, then rinsed twice from his neck to arse.
At the feel of her lips on his back, he tensed and gripped the edge of the tub. His other hand fisted.
Oh, fuck.
"I'm sorry for the times you were hurt." More passes of her lips lingered on his back. "I first noticed these scars while you talked on the phone to your brother." More kisses trailed along his skin. "I won't ask, but know I'm sorry."
He groaned.
Oh, fuck.
She pushed what little control he had. She now kissed the scars his father had put on his back. Too many times to count, his father had laid the metal end of a belt or a razor strap into him.
"Hmm, stand up for me."
Shakily, he did as she ordered. His prick stood out straight begging for some attention. He put a hand on the wall he faced.
Just as thoroughly as she had the rest of him, she washed his arse and the back of his thighs.
At the feel of her tongue on his lower back, he braced his knees. His balls tightened with each caress of her mouth. Her lips didn't stay in one place for long. Open-mouth kisses played across his arse cheeks. The intimate caresses kept his arse clenched.
His prick pulsed in need.
He wanted her to keep up the contact forever. But knew from the tightness in his balls he already hung on the edge.
"Turn around."
Swallowing, he shifted to face her. She now rested on her knees on a towel. She licked her lips.
Desperately, he braced his hands on the wall.
Moaning, she rubbed her face against his rigid muscle. That was it, just rubbed her face along one side of his prick and then the other.
Pre-come escaped in warning.
He whimpered as his hips arched.
Instead of taking him into her mouth, her hands rubbed along his belly, hips and thighs.
Oh, fuck. Her hands on him made him crazy. His breathing rushed harshly through his nose.
Finally, her lips and tongue suckled and licked the crown of his prick for a few thundering heartbeats. She moaned and slurped with her eyes closed until his body shook as much in hunger as in need.
Taking pity on him, she slowly moved her hands from his belly and hips to the root of his prick and sensitive balls.
"Kaycee..." His teeth clenched. His mind hazed over at the pressure she applied to his balls.
She rubbed and squeezed. Her mouth and lips working over the head and sides of his muscle.
Sucking, licking and squeezing, she worked him over good.
He shuddered. He loved looking down at her while she mouth-fucked his prick.
Every time a drop of come leaked out, she gobbled it up like she was starving.
On a moan, she moved on to his balls.
"Kaycee." His back arched. Oh, fuck. His balls were too sensitive for this attention.
She held them in her palms. Squeezed. "I can always tell when you're going to come. You always tense up."
His chest heaved in search of air.
"Your big balls get so tight." She leaned over to nuzzle and suck on his sac. "Is this another sign?"
"Kaycee..."
"Is it?" Her lips brushed along his balls.
"Eh." His hips arched in desperation.
"And your great big cock..." She placed one, then a second kiss on the side of his muscle, before nuzzling his balls again. "Your cock gets so hard inside of me."
He groaned, closing his eyes. Every muscle in his body tensed as his prick stiffened even more at her words.
"Oh, the pace of rhythm you set..." She moaned. "Is always a dead giveaway. It feels so good when you come."
"Kaycee..." She'd have him begging. Christ, he was begging. "Kaycee..."
"I can feel your hot come erupt." She screwed her lips over the head of his prick. "Burst after burst, your body jerks deep inside of mine." She sucked hard on the end, drawing more of him into her mouth and then releasing him to continue the sexual torture. "It always feels so good."
"Kaycee..." His prick pulsed hotly.
"Like now." She worked her mouth over his head. Sucked. Tongued his tip.
"Oh, fuck." His hips stiffened, his come burst forth, his body arching while his prick pulsed. Her mouth suckled him. Her hands stroked him to completion.
She was slow to move away as she continued to lave and lick his muscle until his breathing calmed.
Christ, she'd swallowed for him. Had fucking swallowed his come. There'd been working girls in his past who'd done the job. Been paid good money to do the job. The encounters were well practiced. Almost mechanical. And protection had always been used. Always.
But what Kaycee had done. The Yank had set out to sexually arouse him with not only her touch but her words. Every caress, every word had pushed him closer to the edge.
Christ, to think she'd paid attention to how he fucked her, to him. He didn't know what to make of it. Make of her.
With a final kiss to the head of his prick, she stood.
Miller didn't take his eyes off her flushed face. As his heart rate eased his gaze was drawn to her swollen lips.
While she rinsed her mouth out, he managed to step from the tub.
"Kaycee." What to say to her? His chest constricted. He wanted to say something. But didn't know what. Didn't know what he dared to say.
Not until she dried her mouth did she face him. Standing in front of him, she rose up on tiptoes. "Hm, I wonder if that felt as good for you..." she brushed her lips over his, "...as it does when you love me with your mouth."
His chest rumbled on a groan. He could eat her out all bloody day long. Or night. He couldn't get enough of her begging him to take her.
Lips parted, she stood on flat feet. She took one of his hands and brought it to her pussy. He stroked his fingers along the hidden folds.
The material was soaked.
He grunted. She was already primed for a hard ride. She'd gotten hot sucking his prick.
White teeth caught her lower lip. "Will you make love to me?"
"Eh." He had no intention of either of them sleeping this night away. The thought of tomorrow knotted his belly.
No. Neither of them would get any sleep if he had his way.
On the edge of the bed Kaycee crossed her legs, picking at her breakfast. Miller sat only a few feet away out on the balcony in the sun, eating. She'd showered while he'd gone for their meals.
She took a shaky breath. Their time together had flown by. Her shoulders slouched under a weight of sorrow. She didn't want her time with Miller to be over. She hadn't known it'd be so sad to see the experience come to an end.
Forcing down another bite of scrambled eggs, she closed her eyes. What a truly amazing time she'd had. What a truly amazing man Miller was.
"When do you need to be at the airport?" He didn't turn her way, so she took in his profile.
"Four hours." Her throat worked. "I've got to be there in four hours."
"You want me to drop you?" The rawness in his voice rolled across her skin.
Through a shortness of air, she whispered, "No. It's okay. I'll call for a ride." Her stomach tensed as she fought for control of her spiraling emotions.
This was it.
This was goodbye.
He set his container down and stood. She gazed up when he approached. Quietly, he took her plate and placed it on the dresser.
"Scoot back, Yank." He pulled his shirt off to let it drop to the floor. "I want to fuck you."
She whimpered.
Oh, God, yes.
Again and again and again.
Heart pounding, she scrambled backward on the mattress. He followed her. At the head of the bed, she undid the towel and spread her legs in invitation.
Immediately, he buried his face between her legs. She screamed at the relentless way he sucked at her clit. Pleasure burst in wild beats. His mouth suckled deeply, sent her closer and closer to an abyss of pure bliss.
Her hands fisted, her hips bucked.
Sensations of arousal washed over her as he continued to draw on the tingling bundle of nerves. Feeling the oncoming climax, she tensed, strained to seek the promised pleasure.
He sucked until she lay limp.
Groaning, he got up on his knees. Through half-closed lids, she looked on while he released his big cock and encased it in the protection.
Without hesitation, he covered her body with his. He plunged his cock in deep. He tried to keep his weight off her, but she hugged him close. Arms and legs wrapped around his heaving body.
Too fast. Too fast. She didn't want it to end. Didn't want what they shared to be over.
Urgently, her hands skimmed his shoulders, back, anywhere she could reach. She wanted to memorize him. The thick muscles that defined his body. His scent that curled her toes. The delicious weight of his heavy body.
I'll miss you so much.
She placed kisses wherever her lips landed.
His hips thrust, bucked and pounded his cock into her greediness.
Growling, he shifted. Caught her hands and entwined their fingers. His upper weight now rested on his forearms.
A whimper escaped her trembling mouth. "I want to touch you."
His fingers squeezed hers between his.
The strokes he used turned excruciatingly slow. With slow circles, he rolled his hips, teasing her with the promise of more. In growing frustration, she tried to rock her hips, but his lower half held her down.
"Miller." Frantic, she rolled her head. "I want to touch you." Needed to touch him so badly.
"I want this to last." His cock pulled out only to push back in. "I want this to last."
Heat burned the back of her eyes. "I want this to last too." I want it to last forever. "You make me feel so good."
At the feel of his cock going harder, she kissed him. "Don't come yet." Oh, God, not yet.
"Shh, I won't." He groaned. "I won't."
Trembling, she marked his shoulder. Wanting him to remember her the way she would him, she used her teeth and lips on his skin. Again and again, she placed love bites.
All the while he groaned.
Blissful minutes passed with deep, slow strokes of his cock. Panting, she did her best to match him motion for motion. Her juices flowed. Desire curled hotly in her core as inner walls clasped at his working muscles.
He grunted as his control slipped a notch. The pace of his loving sped up. She moaned at the heightened arousal he flamed. Urgently, he worked his rigid length in and out of her appreciative sex.
She panted, shaking with need.
His cock rubbed her clit every time he entered her. He kept his big body angled just right to hit all her sweet spots.
"Please, please." Her thighs attempted to drag him deeper, to get him to move faster.
Delicious urgency. Rapture. They threatened to consume her at the feel of the relentless push and pull of his cock filling her deep.
On a cry, she strained and reached her climax. Splintered outward on another cry.
Miller followed her, completing her with a string of brutal thrusts. He groaned. His back arched. With each short jab of his length he came hard. His cock pulsed deep inside her sucking muscles.
Breath ragged, he was slow to leave her. She grabbed the sheet while he removed the condom. Wishing for more time, she regarded him while he adjusted his jeans. Put his shirt back on. He disappeared into the bathroom.
Throat hurting at the onslaught of sadness, she listened to the sound of the toilet flush. To water running...
Kaycee's chin quivered, causing her to compress her lips together to still the sadness. An incredible, horrible pressure built in her chest.
He reappeared to shove a few personal items into his bag.
Oh, God, he's going to go...away forever.
Hands on his hips, he faced her. "You sure you don't want me to take you to the airport?"
Mouth dry, she swallowed. She sat up. Gave a slight shake of her head.
"I don't mind making sure you catch your flight."
For the first time in her life, it was too hard to talk. Again, she swallowed, trying not to fall apart in front of him. It'd do neither of them any good. He'd been clear from the start it'd be nothing more than an encounter between two strangers.
The look he wore assured her he still felt that way. His face showed no emotion. Nothing she could read anyway. His eyes were unreadable. Like they'd been on the plane from Sydney when they'd first met. "I'll be fine. Thank you." Her teeth caught her lip.
A moan ached in her throat but she pushed it down.
"All right then." He raked a hand through his hair. "It was good knowing you, Kaycee."
A cry tightened in her stomach. Oh, God... "It was nice knowing you too, Miller."
Again, he raked his hair before he picked up his bag. "You have a good life."
You too. She couldn't speak through the trauma of him leaving.
"On my way out, I'll make arrangements for a ride. And I'll make sure this room is covered for another night." His throat worked. "In case you have any trouble at the airport."
She shook her head.
I'll be okay.
I'll be okay.
He moved toward the door, and she scurried off the bed. At the door, he kissed her. His breathing was unsteady. He straightened up. "It was good knowing you, Kaycee."
Then he was gone.
She stood in the doorway, her gaze watery as he walked away. He turned the corner without looking back.
The sob that clawed at her throat hurt. It hurt as much as her chest did. She stumbled to the bed and collapsed. How could his leaving hurt so, so much? Would she ever get over him? Cradling a pillow to her face, she cried for something that had been bittersweet.
Brooding, Miller sat on a stool in the airport's pub. It'd only been a few hours, and already he missed Kaycee. How was that possible? To miss someone he'd only just met?
But he did.
Leaving her earlier had nearly brought him to his knees. It'd taken everything he had to walk away from her. Every bloody thing he'd had.
That'd been what he was supposed to do, right? Walk away? Eh. It'd been for the best. He had to get back to his life. And she had her own to live.
Only he couldn't get her out of his head. The last look she'd given him would fucking haunt him forever. She'd been sad at their parting. He'd worried that she'd been about to cry. What would he have done then? He wouldn't have been able to survive her tears. The woman couldn't hide her emotions.
He preferred to remember her happy. Smiling at him.
For a time, he sat there, trying not to think. Not to remember. Until something got his attention.
"That's thievery." A familiar voice sounded directly behind him.
Carefully, he listened to an argument taking place. Christ, he was in trouble. He'd liked the sound of Kaycee's voice so much, he imagined he heard her. The Yank's accent had been light, a breeze on a hot summer day.
A frown tightened the skin across his forehead as he concentrated on what was going on.
"You can't change the price now."
It couldn't be.
Finish the drink and hit the sky. Leave it alone.
He forced himself to sip his beer.
"That's my price for the trip, sheila," the bloke declared.
"But we'd already agreed on a price." The Yank's feminine voice tugged at him. "I've already paid you."
Bloody fuck no.
"Prices change. Inflation, luv."
His teeth clenched in annoyance. So the bloody bloke had promised her a ride. Where was she going? Why hadn't she told him she wasn't leaving the country?
Because you didn't ask.
No important information given. None received.
Christ.
He swiveled around to get a look at the Yank. Like the first time he'd spotted the beauty, he lost his breath.
Kaycee faced the other way. But he knew her voice. He knew her arse. The curve of her thighs. The way she stood. The mass of black hair down her back.
No, front or back, he'd never forget her. Not any piece of her.
"Decide, sheila, I've places to go."
"Where you heading?" Miller swung away from his stool.
"Miller?" She turned around. Some of her hair twirled as she spun.
"Piss off, mate."
"I was talking to the lady."
"The lady and I are talking business." The older man stood. "Piss off."
He growled. His hands clenched into fists.
Palm up, she placed herself directly in front of him. "I'm heading to Brady's Pub in..."
"I know it." He cut her off. Old man Brady and his wife ran a pub in his area. In a reasonable driving distance from Thorn station. "How much did the bloke charge you?"
"It doesn't matter." Her hand clutched at his arm. "Let's go."
"How much did you pay the fucker?"
"Miller, please."
"How bloody much?" He wasn't about to let this go. He'd not allow her to be ripped off. Not his Yank.
She paled. "A thousand dollars. But I'm chalking it up to a life lesson learned."
"What's his name?" His jaw ached from clenching his teeth.
"Joe Byrne."
"How'd you meet him?" He snarled. By Christ, he had no problem being a toe-cutter when needed. The bloke had stepped over the line. He wanted nothing more than to plow the man's cakehole with his bloody fist.
"Online." Her hand squeezed his arm. "Please, Miller, let's go."
Ignoring her, he gave the bastard a hard look. He withdrew a business card from his shirt pocket and laid it on the table. Aggressively, he leaned forward. "You've got a week to get the reimbursement to this address." He tapped the card. "After that, I'll be coming for your arse."
She moaned.
By Christ, the whacker wouldn't take advantage of Kaycee this way. Not while he could stop him.
The man's mouth twisted when he read the card. "Thorn."
"That's right." His family owned one of the oldest stations in Oz. It wasn't one of the giants, but his home was well known.
It wouldn't be difficult to have the authorities track the whacker down. No doubt the bastard had scammed other tourists.
Without a single word more, the bloke stormed away.
Kaycee followed in the man's wake, stopping at her luggage cart. White-knuckled, she gripped the handle bar.
At Miller's approach, she turned stormy eyes his way. "Just what were you thinking, acting like that?"
"What were you thinking?" he countered on a surge of possessiveness. Christ, don't think about what might have happened to her.
"Holy shit!" She let go of the cart to face him head on. "Have you ever dealt with an insane individual?"
"What?"
"Well, I have. Neither of us knew what that man was capable of." She waved an arm. "You cannot just...just order people about. Without knowing if they're capable of reason. He could've shot us."
"The bloody bastard is a fucking criminal!" His teeth clenched. "I was defending you." Didn't she see that? He'd have fucking outdrawn the bloke. Knife-throwing was a particular skill of his.
"I'm a big girl. I was doing fine on my own."
Anger at her inability to see reason got the better of him and he took a step forward. "You're the smallest woman I know."
"Oh!" She gasped. "I cannot believe you said that. I'm not small. I'm short."
"Small." He folded his arms.
Mouth compressed, she shook her head. "I'm five-two and some twenty...thirty pounds over my ideal weight."
"Now that's bullshit." Kaycee wasn't overweight.
"Okay. Okay." She flipped her hair back over her shoulders, before taking hold of the cart. "Thank you for dealing with that man for me. It was nice seeing you again." She put the cart in motion. "Have a nice life."
Bugger me.
Before the luggage cart passed by, he put his foot on it, easily stopping the motion. He wouldn't let her dismiss him. However shitty the experience with Byrne had been for her, this gave them the perfect opportunity for more time together. And that he wanted to take advantage of. "I'll take you to old man Brady's."
"Oh, no, you won't." Her chin lifted. "I'll find another pilot."
The fuck she would. "There are no other pilots available."
"What?" Her stormy gaze narrowed. "There has to be..."
"No, Yank. I'll call all those I know."
"Oh, you wouldn't."
"I'll be the one to make sure you get to Brady's safely."
"Why?" Her mouth trembled, sucker-punching him in the gut. "Four hours ago, you walked away from me without a backward glance." She swallowed. "I know you didn't look back because I watched you. You didn't even ask me for my number."
A tic beat to life in his cheek. If he'd looked back, he'd have turned back. Leaving her had been the hardest thing of his life. His hands trembled at the need he felt to embrace her. He shouldn't have left her.
Insecurity had kept his feet moving. Christ knew he'd had enough rejection in his lifetime. Fuck, they'd had a bargain---he'd thought that was what she'd wanted. But now he knew if he had a do over he wouldn't leave her like that. He hadn't been thinking clearly enough to ask for her number.
Bloody fuck.
He should have gotten it. He'd been unprepared for her to enter his life. Things like this didn't happen to him. He hadn't known how to handle this. To handle her. He'd fucked it rightly. "Though what we had was casual..." His chest grew tight at the words. "I don't want to see you hurt."
"Fine." She shook her head. "Whatever." Sullenly, she threw herself down on top of the luggage. "Just drop me at Brady's."
"You bet." Taking hold of the cart, he put it in motion. He glanced back down at the top of her head. She clutched her bag to her chest. Damn but her behavior put him in mind of Cohen's daughters when one of the older girls pouted about something. He didn't like the gloomy appearance Kaycee gave off now. He preferred her smiling and happy.
He sighed, heading toward the exit they needed.
Going by the pissers, he stopped. "Luv, do you need..."
His heart kick-started. Where the fuck had that come from? Christ, he'd have to watch his bloody tongue from now on.
"I guess." She climbed off without looking his way.
His breathing eased, surely she hadn't noticed his slip of the tongue.
"I'd better go since your little plane doesn't have a restroom."
He frowned. "I've already explained bush planes don't have pissers."
"I know." She pursed her lips, sparing him a glance. "But I prefer thinking it's your plane that's inadequate."
Amusement rumbled up as a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. So the Yank had taken a jab at him through his birdie. The grin expanded to a chuckle. Even annoyed with him it was damn good to have her back in his life.
"So, how soon before we make it to Brady's?"
An hour. Kaycee hadn't spoken to him for an hour. It was now apparent she wasn't good at staying angry with others for too long.
Miller took his gaze from the blue sky. His nostrils flared as his blood heated. Christ, he liked looking at her. She appeared more relaxed now.
"Depends. We got a late start." Which they had. He'd already decided to draw out their travel time. Time. He wanted more of her time. "And all that luggage you cart around is eating up my petro." That was also true. "I'll be needing fuel about dinner time."
"Oh." She wiped her hands on her pants.
"I don't fly at night."
"Oh."
That was it. No questions of curiosity, just "oh". He wanted her inquisitive nature back. He needed her questions. He was clueless on holding up a conversation with her otherwise. Fuck. So, maybe she was still pissed at him. What a pig's arse he'd been for leaving her.
She pulled out a magazine from the bag she always carried about and began to read.
He exhaled for calm. "What are you reading?"
"It's a survey." White teeth scraped over her lower lip. "It's about relationships. You wouldn't be interested."
Miller's teeth clenched. "Try me."
"Some of the questions are personal." Kaycee glanced down at the page. "I remember you didn't want us to exchange any information. At least, not anything important."
Clearly that'd been one of his few dumbarse moments. Bloody hell. "Come on, Kaycee, it's a long flight." Come on, luv.
"Okay." She sighed. "Okay, fine. This quiz is for prospective marriage partners."
He grunted. The subject caught him off-guard. Not something he'd discussed before. Hell not even engaged to Denae had he discussed the ins and outs of marriage.
She adjusted her headset, and picked the magazine up. "First question. If your mother becomes terminally ill, who'd care for her?"
"I would. Mum's my responsibility." She'd been under his protection for as long as he could remember. Since he'd been old enough to get in the way when his dad turned mean.
"Yeah? Me too." She sighed. "Okay, second question. How many times a week would you expect marital sex?"
His breath hitched as his blood rushed south.
Oh fuck. His prick bulged in his pants, causing him to shift in his chair. Marital sex? How many times was humanly possible? Basing it on the past days he'd spent fucking with her... "Thirty times."
"A week?" She gasped from behind the magazine.
"Eh." He didn't take his eyes off her. She wouldn't look his way, so he enjoyed the flush that brightened her face. His balls drew up when she crossed her legs. "What about you? How many times would you want your husband to fuck you?"
On a gasp, her breath quickened.
His prick pulsed, he bit back a groan. "How many times, Kaycee?" Like she'd done to him in the bath he let his words pour over her. "How many times a week would you want your husband to fuck you?"
His prick thickened further. Sweat coated his hands.
"As many times as my husband wanted me." Her chest heaved. "I'd want to make my husband happy."
He had to look away. Had too. I'd want to make my husband happy. The Yank would kill him with talk like that.
"Okay, well. Let's see." She ran her finger down the page. "Third question is: How many children do you want?"
Oh, Christ. Now this was dangerous territory for him. If there was one thing he'd always wanted, it'd been children. Eh. He'd never mentioned the desire to another. But when Cohen had started having his girls, it'd been rough. And then Ethan had discovered he was a father...
How many children were humanly possible for a woman to have? Calculating from his age now until he was fifty... "A dozen."
"Holy snap, Miller." With wide-eyes she stared. "A dozen?"
"Eh." He nodded.
"You do realize childbearing is hard on..." Another flush stained her cheeks. "Um, womanly parts."
Unsure on how to respond to that, Miller glanced back at the sky. No, he hadn't known. Not really. Hadn't ever thought about it. Hayleigh had had four ankle-biters. Cohen wouldn't want more if she was in any kind of danger. He hadn't heard either of them say they were done growing their family. "Five."
When she didn't respond, he looked her way. She'd put the magazine away and now had her head back on the headrest.
His chest grew uncomfortable. His guts knotted up.
Something new had upset her.
She looked sad as hell. He hated to see her face pinched up. Was it the talk of children? Maybe she didn't want any at all. "I was joshin' about the dozen ankle-biters."
"I know." She tried for a smile but didn't open her eyes. "I think I'll try to nap."
But she didn't nap, only twisted in her chair so she faced away from him completely.
Bugger me. What was wrong with her? What the fuck was he supposed to say?
On another glance in her direction, he saw her hand go up to wipe her face. His hand trembled when he reached out to her. He grasped her shoulder and massaged, petting her, much like he would a mare in trouble. "Kaycee." It'd never been this difficult to speak before. "You all right?"
"Yes, yes, I am." She twisted around, and swallowed. "I'm just having a bad day. I'm sure you've had at least one yourself."
"Plenty." A bad day he knew all about. He relaxed some. For a minute there he'd been worried it'd been something deeper bothering her. Something out of his element. He continued to rub her shoulder. "I don't cry about them."
She gasped. "I'm not crying."
"No. No, luv." Instantly, he wanted to call his words back. "You weren't."
"That's right." Her lower lip trembled. "I wasn't."
"You want to talk about what..." he searched for a word, "...upset you?"
"No, I don't." She removed his hand and placed it on his chair arm. "I'm fine now."
Blowing out a breath, he took the controls in both hands. "Good deal."
Bugger me.
He was trying to communicate and falling flat on his arse.
Suddenly, the engine coughed, sputtering out.
"Miller!"
The birdie dropped thirty feet while he struggled to keep her nose up. "Come on, sheila!" Again, the birdie dropped in altitude. "Fuck, come on, sheila." Sweat coated his skin.
"Miller!" Kaycee screamed again, rattling his ears.
Muscles in his arms and back strained as he fought to keep the nose up.
"Miller!"
Another cough sounded as he worked, getting the engine to catch again. The birdie soared when the engine cleared the dirt clogging it.
A relieved breath rushed through his lungs. "That's my sheila." He relaxed in the chair as his heart rate calmed.
Christ, he hated when that happened.
"Holy shit, what just happened?"
He rolled his head to meet her frightened gaze. "It's all right, luv." His chest constricted, and he took her shaking hand in his. "It's all right. Dirt was in the petro and clogged up the engine for a minute."
"That's happened before?"
"Eh, a time or two."
Her breasts rose and fell in rapid pants. "What'd have happened if...if..."
"I'd have made a rough landing."
She moaned, clutching at his hand.
"It's all right, luv." The endearment came purposely from him this time. His brothers had called sheilas by endearments since they'd realized they'd had pricks. So why couldn't he use one for Kaycee? He squeezed her fingers. "I'm a bloody good pilot."
Dimples appeared. Her thick lashes lowered. "Well, I'm glad you're confident in your skill." When she shuffled away from him in the chair, he released her hand and grasped the controls.
At least she'd given him a smile.
Kaycee stared. What else could she do? Behind her, Miller worked to tie down the bush plane. Ahead of her stood what he'd called a hotel.
Her mouth pursed.
It was no hotel. Not even close. It was a single-structure building. If it did have rooms, there couldn't be many.
Out front, three cars were parked haphazardly. Another sat along the side of the building. It was strange how he'd pulled his plane up like it was a car.
He'd explained they needed to stop because his eyes were gritty from tiredness. That, she could understand. Neither of them had gotten a whole lot of sleep over the past few days.
But still, jitters danced in her stomach. She wanted to get to Brady's so she could get away from him. She'd been trying to make nothing out of their reunion but was failing miserably. How could fate be so cruel? Another goodbye would be torturous.
Miller swept by her, heading to the hotel.
"Come on, luv."
The butterflies in her stomach had taken to flip-flopping at his use of that word. With his accent, it made her go all gooey. That had to be the reason. Nothing else it could be. If only he hadn't started calling her that.
Given their situation, it only confused her more.
"Wait."
"Eh?"
God, he made her nervous, unsure now. Before, she'd known how to act. Now she had no clue. Just how was she supposed to act around someone she'd had sex with? Her heart sped up under her breasts. "I've said this before, but I mean it. Don't pay for anything else for me." They'd had a one-night stand that'd turned into the affair of her lifetime. But it was over now. Time to get started on life beyond him.
His jaw clenched.
"Nothing. I've my own money. I won't let you treat me like..." The right word didn't come. But it unnerved her the way he covered everything for her. "I...I...I just don't like feeling as if I've been paid for." Yes, that was it. She felt bought. And didn't like it at all. He'd left her. And that had hurt.
"I've not treated you like a whore." His voice was rough and tight.
She gasped. "No. No. Of course not." He'd been nothing but good to her until it'd ended. Better than good. He'd been amazing. "It..." Wildly, she shook her head. She needed the right words to explain. "No, it's been more like a mistress." She nodded. "One you barely said goodbye to." She straightened to her full height. "Now, I'm paying my own way from here on out. I can even purchase fuel for the..."
"I buy the petro for my birdies." Abruptly, he gave her his back and headed inside. "Let's get out of the sun."
Oh, she was tempted to shake him. Though she knew that'd never work considering their sizes.
No other choice at hand, she followed him into the dimly lit interior. As expected, the place was small. A bar with stools and some scattered tables. A pub, as Australians liked to call them.
Four older men in the corner sat playing cards. They all greeted them. Three lifted their hats. The other nodded.
Likewise, Miller did the same, removing his hat in greeting. She'd noted the Native rarely took his hat off outside in the fierce sun.
The man behind the counter drifted around the end. A grin spread across his beefy face. "G'day to you, mate." He extended his hand to Miller, clasping his shoulder while they greeted one another.
"Same here, mate." Miller stepped back.
"You heading home?"
"Eh, was hoping you had a room to spare."
"For you?" The man smiled again. "Always. Come on over and take a load off." He went back to his post behind the bar.
When Miller took a seat on a stool, she sat beside him.
"Ben, this here's Kaycee Hollenbeck." Miller introduced them. "Kaycee, Ben Hall."
The man winked. "A pleasure, luv." The use of the endearment from Ben weighed on her shoulders. Of course Miller hadn't meant anything by his use of it. If only he hadn't waited days to start calling her by the term. Well, now she knew. No more false hope for her.
"Nice to meet you." She smiled, tried to relax.
"You two hungry?" Ben didn't give either of them time to answer. "I'll throw a couple steaks on the barbie."
"Thanks a heap, mate."
Quietly, the barkeep headed through a door.
"How's the weather down your way, mate?" the oldest of the card players called to Miller.
He half turned. "Dry as hell."
"Damn shame about that," another added, before turning back to the game.
He grunted, then removed his hat and placed it on his knee. She put her purse on the stool beside her. He raked his hand through his hair.
She moistened her lips. She loved his thick hair. It was so blond. So soft. She longed to run her fingers through it, to straighten the wayward strands. To help fight temptation, she folded her arms.
Ben joined them to pass them two pints of amber fluid.
Miller saluted him, before draining nearly all the beer.
Her nose curled, but she forced herself to swallow some of the drink. She sighed and set the glass down. She hadn't even shuddered. That was making progress. She'd hated the stuff---piss, as they tended to call beer---until recently.
"Oh." Remembering, she reached for her bag. "How much do I owe you for the beer and meal?"
The man shook his head. "You walked in with the mate here, so it's on the house."
Unsure, she glanced, at Miller.
"Sheila, leave it alone." He lifted his pint. "Drink up."
Oh, no. The man was no longer going to pay her way on anything else. "Mr. Hall, I insist on covering my..."
The barkeep leaned over the counter with a grin. He braced his hefty arms on the wood. "Let me tell you a story."
Miller murmured something under his breath she couldn't understand. For the first time, he appeared to be uncomfortable.
"See, about seven years back..."
"Eight," one of the men behind them corrected.
"That's right. Eight years back. I was coming home from my son's wedding on the coast. And the plane I was in dropped from the sky."
She didn't take her focus from Ben.
"Just fucking dropped out of the sky. The pilot died. And I was stuck in the middle of snake and croc country. I knew I was going to be kissing God's feet by nightfall."
"More likely kissing the Devil's arse," one of the old men called out.
"I like to think the man upstairs forgives us fools." Ben's eyes cast toward the card table, to Miller, then back to her. "A day and a half later, the mate here arrived. He carried my fat arse out of that hole." He straightened up to his full height. "I owe him. So when he stops by here a time or two a year, he's family." He winked again. "Now, put your money away and drink up. Plenty where that came from." He set Miller down another pint.
Shakily, she put her purse back down and picked up her glass to sip again. "Thank you for your hospitality."
"You'll find several of us natives who owe the mate." He smiled. "Foreigners too. Gotta check on the steaks."
Until that moment, she hadn't fully realized what Miller did as a bush pilot. What search and rescue was all about. Miller was a hero in many peoples' eyes. And maybe since meeting him on the flight from Sydney, he'd been a bit of a hero in her eyes too. But for a wholly different reason. He'd replaced many of the ugly memories Doug had left her with. And he'd unknowingly helped her recover a part of herself.
During those days they'd spent together, he'd made her feel special. Wanted. Cherished. Her stomach knotted with doubt. He probably got around more than she'd ever guessed. Yes, the way he zipped from place to place....how comfortable he was in his own skin...
Clearly he was out of her league.
Her shoulders slumped. There'd be no hope of taking up where they'd left off now.
Kaycee sat Indian style on the end of the bed and hit send on her e-mail. Though she hadn't been thrilled when Ben had shown them to a single room, she'd perked right up when he'd told her the room had an Internet hookup.
Miller had come in about an hour ago and shooed her from the couch. Well, she'd felt obligated to move once he'd sat beside her. She'd been so afraid she'd respond to his nearness. She still worried she would. The attraction she felt for him kept her hot and achy. Though she needn't be concerned, he hadn't taken his eyes off the television, which she'd seen, because from time to time she'd checked on him.
It was difficult to think of him as a friend. Very difficult.
The couch was too small for him. Still he'd stretched out a bit. One arm lay behind his head. His other hand was shoved into his front pocket. He had one leg mostly on the couch. The other foot rested on the floor.
Almost immediately, a ding sounded. A response to her e-mail had arrived. She glanced over at Miller after reading. "Dr. Giese says G'day."
"What?" Miller turned his head.
"Dr. Giese, apparently he knows you. I emailed him to let him know I'd made it to Australia. I told him I was traveling with you."
"You know Connor?"
"Yes. I met him last year on an Australian message board." She shrugged. "I'll be doing some work for him."
"What?" He pushed to sit up. His jaw had clenched.
She frowned at the look. "He's offered me a position." She watched his fingers curl around the end of the arm of the couch.
"Exactly what is this position?"
Her eyes narrowed at the heavy tone of his voice. "As his nurse, I'll be doing some work with him. There may even be trips into the bush to help..."
"You don't belong in the bush." A tic beat in his cheek, but she ignored it.
"I'm a registered nurse." Her back straightened. She'd saved up for this adventure. "Dr. Giese feels I'm qualified. He wouldn't have invited me over otherwise. He also made arrangements for me to work at Brady's to supplement my income." She understood some of the work would earn her little money. Still, she wanted to help others. She wanted this opportunity. And Miller wasn't going to stop her.
He had no right to say where she did and didn't belong.
"Miller." She swallowed. "I just need you to drop me off."
Shifting on the couch, he turned away from her.
Though relief lightened the weight in her shoulders, she wasn't happy. He'd wanted to say something---she'd seen it in his gaze---but he didn't. Instead, he went back to watching the television.
Clearly the man had closed up.
No. She'd have preferred communication. As friends, the least they should be able to do was talk. Regrettably she pondered the silent treatment she'd given him earlier.
Staring at his profile, tension grew in her stomach. "Well, I'll tell him you send your regards."
His gaze burned hot with blue fire. "You tell the mate if he carts your pretty arse out to the bush, I'll no longer be offering my birdies for his services."
She sucked in a breath. "Miller!"
"You've no bloody clue what dangers you'd face in the bush. Snakes." He straightened. "Fuck, Yank, we have more venomous snakes here than we do nonpoisonous ones. Spiders. Scorpions. Ants and flies that'll eat you bloody well alive." The tic drummed in his cheek as he talked through clenched teeth. "Bats. And rats. Disease. Fucking violence. Christ, violence among the Aborigine tribes. Murder. Sexual assaults."
"I know all that." She scrambled up onto her knees. "Dr. Giese has filled me in."
He stood, raking his hand through his hair.
"I've also done my own homework." Nervously, she eyed him. "I'm prepared."
"Fuck, I need a pint." He didn't offer her a glance as he headed toward the door.
"Miller!" She jerked as the door slammed behind him on his way out. Open mouthed, she flopped backward on the bed. "I don't understand him at all." Feeling rather helpless, she clutched a pillow to her. "I don't understand him, but I want to." Miller's reaction left her tied up in knots of confusion.
How she wanted to know him better. And that was a lost cause. No way should she still desire him. He'd left her. She hadn't exactly asked him to stay, but he'd been the one to walk away.
Stop this. You're not some moping teen.
Kaycee forced herself to move. She painted her nails and then her toenails. Watched a show she wouldn't remember if her life depended on it. Unable to wait any longer, she crawled tiredly into bed.
He could sleep on the couch. She hoped it gave him a crick in his neck. Lying in the dark for so long, she fell asleep. It was a fretful sleep of spiders and flesh-consuming bugs. She heard him come in. Briefly, he stopped in the bathroom. The toilet flushed.
She peeked out from behind the sheet. "Miller?"
"Eh."
She sighed. "What time is it?"
"Late." His boots hit the floor with thuds before he settled back on the couch.
Humph. Sometimes she wished he wasn't so wordy. There were no digital clocks in the room, and her watch didn't glow. She had no clue how long she'd tossed and turned. "How late?"
"Go back to sleep, Yank."
Noting the pressure in her bladder, she squirmed. "I'm wondering if I should try to hold off going to the bathroom until morning."
"Go piss, luv." A rough chuckle rumbled from the other side of the room.
"You shouldn't laugh at my discomfort." She smiled into the darkness.
"Sorry, luv." He cleared his throat. "Now, there's something else to remember. There's no pissers in the bush."
Sighing, she decided to ignore the comment. She knew what she was getting into. Never in her life had she been as excited about something as her trip to Australia. She'd enjoy every day of her year spent here. She'd made her decision to travel abroad carefully and had scrimped and saved to get here. "Miller?"
"Eh."
"You want to switch places?" She didn't want him to get a crick in his neck. "I can sleep on the couch. I'm shorter."
"Go to sleep, Kaycee." He released a heavy breath.
Fine. No energy to argue, she rolled out of bed to ease her way toward the bathroom. "Goodnight."
Miller listened to his voice mail. "Mate, I owe you if you can house the sheila for me a couple weeks. The boy's back home. We'll be putting her up in the south property as soon as it's cleaned up."
Disgusted, he growled. The south property was a dump. He'd tried calling Brady last night. The bloke had been out. Or not answering. What kind of response was that? Brady was giving the room meant for Kaycee to his useless son. Two, three times a year, the boy came home to suck the old folks dry. And now, Brady expected her to live in a dump. No way in hell could the old man get that place cleaned up. It'd gone too long without repairs.
Though he supposed he could get a crew in there to see what they could do.
"Everything okay?" Kaycee now stood at his side.
"Eh. No. Look, Brady left a message." He pushed his hat back. "He wants me to put you up for a few days..."
"Oh, come on." Gray eyes narrowed. "He does not."
"I don't lie." Not ever.
"I know." Her faced softened. "I know. I'm tired. I didn't sleep well. What exactly did Brady say?"
A surge of desire, protectiveness, heated his blood. He wanted to pull her against his body. He was tired too. Tired as hell. He hadn't slept well with her across the room. Not more than a wink or two at a time. He'd wanted to be in that bed bloody bad. He'd wanted to be in her even more. "He said he'd owe me if I put you up for a few days."
"I can't stay with you another night." She folded her arms. "I just can't."
His teeth clenched, and he replayed the message for her to hear.
"Holy snap." She exhaled noisily. "Why does this keep happening?" Agitated, she waved an arm. "There has to be a pub, a hotel."
"Brady's all we got in this area." He gazed at her flushed face. Knowing he shouldn't be enjoying her animation. Her enthusiasm. And her temper. "I'll see if the bunkhouse has room for you." On a working station, this time a year, the possibility was slim they'd find her a bed in one of the bunkhouses. But he'd give it a shot.
"A bunkhouse?" White teeth nibbled on her lower lip.
"Eh. You might get lucky and find a bed empty."
She snorted. "Fine." Tossed her ponytail. "Sounds great. Thank you. Again."
"Come on, luv." With no room in the back of the truck because of his toolboxes and spare parts, he shoved all her bags into the cab. They filled up the backseat and a quarter of the front seat.
"The bunkhouses aren't far." He supposed he could call but anything to prolong his time with Kaycee.
Inside the truck, she scooted as far away from him as she could get. It wasn't enough. Once the truck got in motion she bounced, her body rubbing against his. Her curves drove him to distraction.
Neither spoke a word as he drove along. He didn't slow down until he pulled up in front of Luke's office. Luke's job was to manage the tourists that came through the station. The day his dad had died, he'd fired the man his dad had running the visitors' bunkhouses and hired Luke. His uncle had pitched a fit, but Miller hadn't cared. It'd been one of the best decisions of his life.
Luke had done right by them. The number of visitors had nearly doubled from the marketing he'd done. Luke was a natural with those who came and went through Thorn station.
Rolling to a stop, he blew the horn twice before the man appeared. As Luke ambled over, Miller tried to give Kaycee a little more room. But her breast still pressed into his arm.
The woman carted around too many bloody bags.
Luke rested his forearm on the window frame of the driver's side. "G'day boss." He tipped his hat to Kaycee. "Welcome to Thorn Station. I'm Luke, the man you want to talk to if you need anything during your stay."
"Hi, thanks." From the corner of his eye, he saw Kaycee smile.
"How was Litchfield?" Eh, count on the bloke to bring up the reason Miller had called him while in Darwin.
"Oh, it was beautiful." She leaned forward a bit, her body pressed into him more. "I loved it there." Yep, and now the bloke knew he hadn't been alone up north. Not that he cared. No, Luke was welcome to spread the fact he'd been with the Yank. It'd been a bloody excellent time. All because of her.
"And for you, boss?" Luke's grin was easy and knowing.
"Nice place." His balls drew up. The outback had gotten a whole lot hotter. Or his blood had. He'd have liked to stay up North with Kaycee longer.
Luke's grin grew. The mate knew him well. A lot better than many. Kaycee wouldn't be riding with Miller if there wasn't a story there.
Still he didn't want his friend to read into it more than was there. Uncomfortable under the man's gaze, Miller cleared his throat. "Got a spare bed in the bunkhouse?"
"For your lady friend here?"
"Eh." He gave a slight nod in the affirmative.
"Nope. Not a spot for a sheila." Luke pursed his lips. "Unless you want to put her in with the jackaroos."
Fuck, no. Kaycee alone with a rowdy bunch of ranch hands? Half of them didn't know their arses from a hole in the ground.
"She's welcome to stay in my room."
Miller gave the bloke a hard look. Luke's room was attached to the men's bunkhouse. "We'll figure something else out."
"I'm sure Maree would love to have company up at the main house."
"Who's Maree?" Kaycee clasped his arm.
"My mum."
She jerked her fingers back. "Oh."
Luke stepped to the side. "I'll call and let her know to expect you."
"Thanks a heap." Miller put the truck in motion.
"You're taking me to your mom's home?"
The panic in her voice set him on edge. Just what would be so bad about staying longer with him? "It's my home too."
"Your home?" She moaned and dropped her head back. "Main house. Luke said main house. Oh, he called you boss... Are you telling me this is your ranch station?"
Miller regarded her for a moment. Her face had flushed. She didn't look happy with the turn of events. "Would telling you my family owns this station help my case or not?"
I'm marrying John Ashlan. He's a man who can give me everything I want.
"Miller." She gasped, pushed his arm for some room that she didn't get. "I can't believe you didn't tell me."
He lowered his lashes as the familiar insecurity knotted his guts. Bloody fuck. So he should've told her. But dammit, money and position had been all Emily had wanted. And now he had both. He just hadn't been able to tell Kaycee about himself.
"I'm telling you now." A weight settled over his heart at her expression of hurt. "I own the majority of Thorn station." Buying Ethan out had given him the ruling share and had pissed his uncle the fuck off. "It's been in my family for generations."
"I see." Her lips compressed, she nodded. "That's great. Sounds like you've got a neat history." White teeth sucked her lower lip into her mouth as she kept her gaze down.
It was his turn to look away.
You should've told her.
Miller cut the engine off in front of his home. Immediately, the pack of dogs rushed to the truck.
"Holy snap." Kaycee eyed the hounds. "What are there, two dozen?"
"No. Not even close." He'd stopped counting them a long time ago but he knew there wasn't even a dozen. He climbed out and shooed them away. "Useless buggers. Go on, get out of here." Some whined. Most did as he ordered. A few stood, still wagging their tails. He sighed. Bloody useless buggers. "Come on. They won't bite."
"Are you sure?" She slid his way. "I've never seen so many together before."
"They won't. They're smart enough to know I'd shoot them."
"Miller."
His mouth twitched, at the tone in her voice. "Come on, luv. They're also smart enough to know who feeds them." He glared at the lingering mutts. "At least, most of them are smart enough."
Hesitantly, she climbed out, clutching her bag.
The nearest dog made a move to get closer, sending her into Miller's side. "Easy, luv. They're useless buggers. No need to worry."
"I've seen specials on what pack dogs do."
"Not these buggers." He took her hand in his. "Now, dingos on the other hand. Vicious bastards." He squeezed her fingers in reassurance. Though he understood the mentality of a pack, he also trusted the dogs. "They've not been a problem on the station." He just didn't see the point in causing her any worry. So he didn't mention that dingos readily interbred with domestic and feral dogs. And on occasion they'd had to relocate a loner. It bothered him to see the animal in the wild in danger of extinction. His granddad had told him many stories of the fierce predator.
"That's good."
He closed the door, keeping her close to him while they ambled up to the porch.
"You've a cozy home." She withdrew her hand. "I was expecting..."
"Mum won't hear of building up." Nope. She pitched a fit every time he mentioned building a new home. She'd had her children here, and she was keeping it. He liked his home, but his mum deserved something grand. They could afford it. Another reason to loathe his old man's memory. The rotten bastard should've done a bloody sight better for their mum.
He held the door open for her. Something strange happened inside his chest while he watched her go inside his home. A pressure he couldn't name.
Kaycee stepped aside to let him lead the way. Her boot heels clicked on the hardwood floors. He found his mum in the kitchen, fussing over the stove.
She turned around as he cleared the archway. "Mum."
His mum didn't hesitate to hug him. Not once had he ever left without a goodbye. Not once had he returned and not been welcomed.
"I'm glad you're back." After she patted his back, she stepped aside. "It's been quiet with you away."
He grunted. They didn't talk much when he was home either. He spent most of his time keeping the station going. "Mum, I've brought company."
Her eyes widened and gleamed when they landed on Kaycee.
He frowned, not particularly liking the look one bit. It struck him that he'd seen it before. When Denae had entered his life. What a wreck that experience had turned out to be.
"You've brought company home." A quick smile spread across her worn face. "Well, don't be shy. Come on in."
"Hi, I'm Kaycee. I hate to impose this way." She trailed off when his mum took her hand in hers.
"Oh, you're not imposing. I'm Maree Thorn. I'm glad to have you." She encouraged Kaycee across the room to the table. "Here come sit down and tell me about yourself."
Kaycee's gray eyes sought him out, but like everyone else, she did as his mum instructed. Eh, his mum had a way with getting people to do what she wanted. Could be her directness. No one argued with her.
His mum turned to him. "Travis is watching the telly. Go get him."
"Travis!" Miller called for his second cousin, causing his Yank to jump. "Sorry." But there'd been no way he was leaving his mum alone with Kaycee. He didn't trust the gleam in his mum's eyes. By now he knew how his mum's mind worked. He didn't want his mum to entertain any kind of thoughts to push Kaycee one way or the other. The way she'd pushed Denae.
"Miller." His mum shook her head.
He braced a shoulder on the door frame. He heard the clomping his cousin made before he saw him. Travis pounded on his back. "Hey, mate."
"Mate, you staying out of trouble?"
"Yes, sir." Travis came to a standstill at the sight of Kaycee sitting at the table with her legs crossed.
"T, meet Kaycee."
"Hey, sheila."
Kaycee stood and offered her hand. "Hi. Nice to meet you."
Travis pumped her hand, and then stepped back.
"Kaycee's Miller's company."
"Huh?" With his face flushed, the young man spun toward him. "Big M? You got a woman?"
"Oh. No. No." Kaycee's eyes went wide as a deep flush spread from her neck to her cheeks. "It's nothing like that."
His teeth clenched, a tic beating to life in his bunched jaw.
"We're friends." Nodding, she turned to his mum. "We're friends."
Friends? He didn't feel like her mate. Only two days ago, he'd been having the time of his life. He crossed his arms over his chest.
"Bonzo. M's got a friend." Travis continued to eyeball Kaycee. "First for everything, I guess."
Kaycee's teeth nibbled her lower lip. "He's offered to help me out. The home I'll be staying at needs a little work."
"You're welcome here for as long as needed." The speculative expression was back in place in his mum's gaze. "Where are my manners? Come sit down. Would you like milk or coffee with your pie?"
"Oh, no thank..."
Mum ignored Kaycee and set about dishing slices out. So Kaycee sat.
He sat beside her.
"Well, okay. Milk." Kaycee offered his mum a smile. "Thank you. For the hospitality too."
"No worries." Mum went to the counter for two more slices.
Travis took a seat directly across from Kaycee.
Miller took a calming breath. If the boy didn't stop eyeballing Kaycee, he'd get his ears boxed. "Thanks a heap." He nodded when his mum served him.
A gentle hand squeezed his shoulder as she poured him coffee. "So, Kaycee, you're American?"
"Yes. I'm from Davenport, Iowa." She took a bite. After a moment, she added, "You've a gorgeous country. I've been enjoying my stay so far."
"Your stay?" His mum sat cattycorner to Kaycee. "Are you enjoying your holiday?"
"I'm not on holiday, though. I plan to work here for a year and see how things go."
"A whole year." His mum folded her hands on the table top. "That's excellent news."
Travis surprised them all by taking out his phone and snapping a picture.
Kaycee blinked and turned to face Miller.
In turn, Miller glared at his cousin.
"I needed proof." Travis shrugged, fiddling with his cell.
Again, Kaycee faced Miller, her gray gaze wide and confused.
"He's not too bright." He shook his head. "I'd ignore him."
"Miller." His mum shook a finger at him.
"What?" He arched a brow. "I don't know anyone who's bloody bright at his age." He sure as fuck hadn't been.
"Maree, thank you again." Kaycee pushed her plate away. "I enjoyed the pie. But right now I need to visit a bathroom."
Fuck. He'd forgotten. She was like traveling with Cohen's girls. They needed the pisser regularly too. His chair scraped the floor as he stood. "I'll show you."
"Super." Her heels clicked as she followed him down the hall and into his room.
He flipped his bedroom light on and did the same in the bathroom. "I'll bring in your bags."
She rubbed at her neck. "Thank you."
"No worries, luv." Reluctantly, he closed his bedroom door behind him. He'd have liked to have stayed and worked the tension out of her neck and shoulders for her.
He grunted in the hallway as he nearly plowed over Travis.
"Big M, she's a bloody looker. Most amazing eyes I've ever seen."
"What color are they?" He folded his arms, rocked back on his heels.
"Uh." A flush stained the young man's face.
Thought as much.
Muscles coiled tight, Miller tried not to pace. But dammit to hell, Kaycee was in his bedroom, and he wasn't. Instead he stood on the front porch brooding.
His friend.
Yeah, right. After all the times they'd rooted, she'd referred to him as a friend. Friends didn't fuck like they'd been doing.
The night crawled by as he waited for her to put in an appearance. Another hour passed before he went inside. He supposed it wouldn't hurt to check on her. Especially since they were friends.
His mum eyed him as he passed through the living room, but he headed to his rooms without a word.
As strange as it was to knock on his own door, he did.
"Yep?"
"You all right?"
"Yep."
A frown pulled at his forehead. She didn't sound fine. He tried the door to find it unlocked. Peeking in, he saw she sat Indian style in the middle of his bed. His heart rate kicked up at the sight of her on top of his mattress. His bed. The Yank sat on his bed. Her hair was loose and wild. Up north, he'd be in that bed with her. They'd both be naked...
Lust rocketed through his blood. Arousal settled in his groin.
"Mind if I come in?"
"Of course not. It's your room."
After a calming breath, he joined her inside and closed the door.
Kaycee ducked her head and went back to the book in her lap.
Uncomfortable, he shoved his hands into his pockets. Fuck, if he could turn back time, he would. He hated having to pull conversation from her. His chest rose and fell in a deep breath. "You want to come out and watch some telly?"
She shook her head. "No. I thought you'd all want family time."
"T's watching a game." He stayed where he stood. "Mum's dozing off in her chair."
"Oh."
"You reading?"
"Not really. I was rereading what I wrote in my journal."
There was no telling what she'd written about him in there. He nodded in acknowledgement. A few times, he'd seen her write in her book. She'd said it was therapeutic.
"Are you ready for bed?" She scrambled off the mattress. "I'll sleep on the couch."
"No." He watched her shove her journal into the bag she always kept handy. All her other bags remained stacked where he'd placed them along the far wall. "I'll be the one to sleep on the couch." Though he'd prefer to be in his bed with her, he did like the idea of her in his bed. Between his sheets where her scent would linger.
Eh, with her in here there'd be no sleep for him tonight. Or any other night she was there. The time would be agonizing as it slipped by. He wanted to be what covered her at night. He wanted to be her pillow once they'd exhausted one another.
"I'm not going to take your own bed from you." She straightened. Her arms came around to cross over her breasts.
He opened his mouth to argue but changed his tactic. "You'll have more privacy in here." What he wanted was for her to be comfortable in his home. More importantly, he needed her to be at ease around him the way she'd been. "Never know when one of the family will stop by. T is always around." The Thorns were a tight-knit bunch, they came and went on whims. Just as he did at his Auntie's house and Co's place.
She turned away and wandered over to the sliding glass doors. "I don't want to make this situation any worse by sleeping in here."
"What?" He joined her to stand to her right.
The pulse in her throat beat wildly. "I'm a little out of my element here."
The woman was in the Australian outback. She was way out of her comfort zone. But he was no fool. That wasn't what she meant. "Luv, I've no problems with you using my bedroom."
"Well, I do." She turned her stormy gaze his way. "I do, okay."
"What is it?" Bloody fuck. What had gotten under her skin now? "Isn't it comfortable enough for you?"
"The bed is wonderful." She waved a hand, then pushed her hair away from her face. "It's the biggest bed I've ever been in."
Still not seeing the problem, he grunted. He'd special-ordered his bed so he'd have plenty of room.
"It smells like you."
His prick twitched. Now that was an admission he liked hearing.
"This whole room smells like you." Her eyelids lowered to shield her gaze.
He took a step forward, only to have her back away. Only days ago, she'd not have run from his advance.
"I can't believe how things have happened. I've no clue how to act around you." The admission filled him with regret. Christ, what a pig's arse he was for hurting her. All he wanted was for her to treat him the way she had. He wanted how she'd made him feel back. "I liked the way you were..."
She cut him off with a roll of her expressive eyes. "I can't imagine how many one-night stands, affairs you've had... I'm going to be honest." She paused for a breath. "I don't know how to be friends with someone...someone I've had...sex with." A flush colored her cheeks.
So now they'd had sex. That hadn't been the word she'd begged him with. Make love to me. More regret hit him in the gut. He forced himself to take a step back.
"Anyway, I know we weren't supposed to get personal. Now I understand why." She wouldn't look his way. "I can't imagine how uncomfortable you must be with me here."
How the fuck did he bring things back around? "Kaycee..."
"I promise to get out as soon as I can." She stood with her arms protectively around herself once more.
Bugger me. Agitated, he raked a hand through his hair. The stacked bags caught his attention. Without another thought, he crossed the room and started shifting his belongings from one drawer to another.
"Wait. What are you doing?" Kaycee approached him but he ignored her. He cleared out a second drawer. "Will you stop a minute?"
She clasped his shoulder, sending a jolt of awareness through him. No sooner had she touched him than she withdrew her hand. Had she felt the connection to?
He looked up. Her breath had quickened. What was the spark that never failed to catch fire between them? His continued reaction to her more than intrigued him.
Refocusing on the task at hand, Miller cleaned out a third drawer for her to use before he stood. "You can use these for your belongings." How intimate it'd be to have her belongings among his own.
"I can't."
At his closet, he shoved all his belongings aside to free up space for her things. "I'll find you some hangers."
"Oh, please wait, Miller." Kaycee's wide gaze pleaded something he couldn't name. "This is strange, don't you think?"
"Strange?"
"Yes, weird."
"Sharing my room with you isn't queer." Well, maybe a little. It might not sit well with his mum. But he didn't have a clue as to what he was doing. It all boiled down to his desire to spend as much time with her as he was allowed.
A rush of breath sent a lock of hair away from her face. "I don't want to make you feel any more awkward than I already have."
For a long moment, he stood there staring at the Yank. She was a little fruit loop to be worrying over him. He wasn't uncomfortable around her. Not in the sense she meant. Truth was, he'd never been more content around someone before. And that worried the fuck out of him. Good things didn't happen in his world. Still he wanted what time with her he could get.
"I told you once I don't do anything I don't want to." He searched for the right words. Words that didn't let her in on how comfortable with her he'd become. That wouldn't do either of them any good. She wasn't sticking around in the long run. And even if she did, his track record proved what they shared was on a crash course.
His prick pressed against the material of his pants. But he tried to focus past his need. He wanted to toss her down on his bed and root until the sun came up. Though as nervous as she appeared now, he supposed it was best not to start anything further between them. So he'd settle for her company. "I don't mind you being here."
Big gray eyes followed him to the door.
"I'll be right back with those hangers."
Unfortunately, his mum joined him in the spare room that had once been his brother Cohen's. Miller dug into the extra closet in hopes he wouldn't have to face what no doubt was coming.
"She's a beauty."
Yep, he hadn't thought she'd allow him to slip in and out without a word. "Eh, she is." Reluctantly, he turned to face her. "Mum."
Making it clear she planned to bend his ear, she sat in the old rocker that now stayed in the corner of the room.
"Travis thinks you hooked up with the Yank."
Teeth clenched, he bit back a curse. Bugger Travis.
"He's enjoying himself telling your cousins you brought a sheila home."
T had a big bloody cakehole. "Mum, I need you to leave this alone." He needed everyone to leave it alone. All he was after was some stolen time with the Yank. That was it. He was always realistic. His father had beaten the frame of mind into him regularly enough. All too soon, she'd be gone.
Slowly, her foot rocked her back and forth. "I just want you to be careful."
It was useless to tell her he'd been a grown man for a long damn time. He gave her his back and pulled a hanger down.
"I'll never forget how things went with Emily and Denae."
Not a chance he'd ever forget how either of the relationships had gone down either. Though he couldn't be happier for Ethan and Denae. But Kaycee was like neither Em nor Denae. She wasn't like anyone he'd ever met. He couldn't possibly deserve someone like her in his life.
"You know everything I've done, I've done because I want to see my boys happy."
Another hanger joined those already in his hand.
"You've always been special to me, Miller." She sighed. "You remind me so much of your father."
That was not a good thing in his opinion. The admission ate at him. He turned around to meet her gaze. No loathing rested there in the depths of her aging eyes.
"I'd look at you as you grew into a man, amazed at your strength of character. I've always been so proud of you." She rested her head back. "Little Co used to tell me you were my favorite."
"That's BS." His chest rumbled. He wasn't his mum's favorite. Not by a long shot. "Hell, Ethan and Cohen got by with everything."
"Oh, son. You never saw how much you meant to me."
"Mum..." He gulped a breath. Bloody hell, how had they gotten onto this topic? He knew his mum cared for him, for them all. She'd sacrificed for them. More than any woman ought to.
"Everything I did, I did for you." She closed her eyes. "I stayed with your father because of you. For you. I wanted you to have this land you loved so much."
A knot caught in his chest. "What?"
"I knew how much this land meant to you."
Oh, fuck no. His heart hammered like a steal spike being driven into railroad ties. Oh, Christ, Mum. This land has never meant more to me than you do. Without you the land would have meant nothing. For his mum he'd learned to fight his old man tooth and nail. No matter what she said, this land mattered to her as much as it did to him.
"I know you've never thought much of me..."
"More BS." Where had she gotten that idea? From the moment he could stand up to his father he'd protected her.
"I know I shouldn't have stayed with your father. But I stayed for you. You deserved your share of this station." She smiled gently. "Your granddad was right---even while you were a little boy he said you'd do right by this place. No matter how your father threatened, I wasn't going to let him rob you of it."
No matter how he tried, he'd never understand why his father hadn't cared for him.
"You know what I'm thinking?"
He blinked.
"I'm glad things didn't work out with Emily the way you wanted back then. She wasn't near good enough for my boy." She stood and raised a hand before he could say anything. "And we both know Denae wasn't right for you." The gleam returned to his mum's gaze.
"Mum..." No, he didn't trust the expression she wore.
Smiling, she shuffled toward the door. "I just want you to be happy."
"I've never asked anything of you." That was the truth, he never had. At least not since he could hold his own. "I need your word now. You'll stay out of...this, away from Kaycee."
"I've learned my lesson." Her hand rested on the doorframe. "Oh, there's plenty of your favorite ice creams in the freezer." She left him.
He blew out a breath.
Bugger me.
Nope, he'd have to be on guard. He wasn't buying his mum's word.
On his way back to his bedroom, he collected two half gallons of ice cream and spoons.
He discovered Kaycee on the floor in front of his dresser with a suitcase nearby. At the bed, he dropped the hangers on the mattress. "You want some ice cream? I've brought two flavors."
On a moan of pure longing, she turned her head. "Do I have to choose? I've a weakness for ice cream."
"Nope. You can have both." Miller didn't try to fight the grin. "I've got a sweet tooth." Ice cream, cake, cookies, candy---he never turned down sweets.
At the dresser, he took the lids off and passed her a container along with the spoon. "Your mom won't mind that we eat from the cartons?"
"Nope. She doesn't eat ice cream." He took a bite of the chocolate chip. "Now drinking from the moo juice jug gets her pissy."
"I'll remember that." Keeping hold of her treat, she stood. "When did you add these rooms? I noticed you have an office."
"Four, five years ago." He followed her. "I gave up on mum moving into a new home so I built a master suite with an office." He grasped for more to say, "If you're interested, there's wireless Internet access. T's on the computer a lot."
"I hope you don't mind." A flush stole up her cheeks. "I peeked."
"You're welcome to anything that's mine." He took another spoonful.
"Thank you." Using her spoon she pointed toward the office. "I saw your collection of model planes."
"Eh. They're a bitch sometimes. Fiddling with them." He faced a palm out to her. "My fingers are clumsy."
Quietly, she flipped the light switch on inside his office. When she ducked out of sight, he followed.
A few feet away, she stood staring at a half-dozen rows of model birdies. "You really love airplanes, don't you?"
"Eh. I've been flying since I could piss by myself." In the beginning, his granddad had put him in his lap.
"No way." She licked her spoon clean.
"Times were different then." He shrugged.
"Yeah, I guess they were."
"My granddad taught me." He'd been nine years old when his granddad had died. His life had changed for the worse then. While his old man had always been quick with his fist, he'd gone a little crazy after his dad's death.
"I had to take my driver's test three times." Dimples peeked out from a smile.
"Should I be worried?"
"No." She exchanged ice creams with him. "I bet I'm as good of a driver as you are a pilot."
He snorted.
Kaycee laughed. "You know, you've got a bit of an ego."
His right brow arched.
"At least when it comes to your piloting skills." She nodded, as if agreeing with herself before taking a bite.
"If I have an ego it's well deserved."
"I know." He was treated to another breathtaking smile. "You saved us, remember?"
He took a steadying breath at her banter. It felt at least for the moment that his Kaycee was back.
Kaycee inhaled the pillow and moaned. She loved Miller's scent. Simply loved it.
"Kaycee." A nudge pressed into her shoulder. "Kaycee."
Holy snap. Never would she forget that bone-melting voice. That dreamy accent. She rolled over to discover the object of her fantasies towering over the bed.
"I tried knocking." He shoved his hands into his pockets. "G'day, luv."
"What time is it?" She eyed the window. With the sun rising at least she knew God was awake.
"About four."
What a horribly early hour to wake. "Aren't you sleepy?" She moaned.
"Nope. Breakfast is on the table."
"Oh, thank your mom, but I'll pass." She'd stayed up late organizing her things. Miller had given her half his closet and six drawers total. She'd given up the argument. Who was she kidding? She didn't understand him, but he'd been trying to be friends. So she'd accepted. It'd been so strange to see her things hanging alongside his.
Once she'd gotten everything settled, the night had ended with her eating a whole container of ice cream. Maree kept a stash in the freezer. Miller had shown her where to look and once he'd left she'd gone for seconds. Though the treat hadn't made anything easier to face, Miller had been great about offering it to her. As well as his room and the storage space.
She was staying with a man she'd had sex with. But didn't know. Not really.
"No you don't." He yanked the covers off, causing her to scramble up to make sure her panties were hidden. Didn't matter that he'd already seen them. Now things were different between them.
"Miller!" She tried to pull the blankets back over her.
"Come on, Yank. We've things to do today."
"At four in the morning?"
"Eh." He let go of the blanket and sheet. "I know how long it takes you to get ready."
"Humph. Not all that long." She covered back up. "Give me a few minutes." Sighing, she flopped back down when he left the room. What an hour to get up.
A knock sounded. "Are you ready, yet?" The door inched back open. He couldn't have been gone for more than five minutes.
"I'm up." Giving in, she laughed, shoving the blankets away. "I'm up."
With a click, the door closed again.
Once he left her, she hurried to get ready.
When she joined Miller, he sat with his mom and Travis at the table.
Maree got up as she approached. "I hope you're hungry this morning. I've made bangers, mash and bickies."
"What?" She sat and looked at Miller for clarification.
"Sausages, mashed potatoes and biscuits." The corner of his mouth curled up. Her heart caught at the sight. The Native had the sexiest smile ever. "I promise, no witchetty grub, luv."
She curled her nose at the mention of the delicacy. She wasn't ever eating grubs, barbecued or not.
He poured her a glass of milk.
"There's bum-nuts, too." Travis pointed to the stove.
She grinned. "I know those are eggs." Miller had given her a crash course in Aussie terms. She'd never remember everything though. "Thanks, Maree. Breakfast looks good." She took two biscuits and lathered them with butter and jelly, which had been sitting in the center of the table.
No sooner did she sit down before Miller and Travis stood. "We've got chores to get done. I'll get back as soon as I can so we can get a start on Brady's property." For a brief moment, his gaze lingered on his mom. He looked as if he might say more, but didn't.
"Oh, okay." She watched him follow Travis outside.
"Did you sleep well?" Maree drank from her cup.
"Not too bad. How about you?"
"I've not slept well since I was sixty."
She nodded, knowing sometimes sleeping was difficult when you got older. She'd studied geriatrics in nursing school.
"Kaycee, since you'll be staying here, do you mind telling me a little about yourself?" Maree folded her hands on the table. "Don't get me wrong. I'm glad to have you, but I'd like to get to know you better."
"Oh, of course. Thanks again for the hospitality." She straightened in her seat. "Ask me anything."
"I'm sure Miller wouldn't be pleased I'm speaking so directly to you... But I've always been a direct woman so I'm going to ask outright."
Kaycee held the woman's steady gaze.
"I'm still surprised Miller brought company home. I want to make sure there's no ulterior motive. I'm sure you understand."
"Oh, of course." Heat crawled up her neck. The woman wasn't a thing like her own shy mom.
"Tell me, have you ever been in love?"
Inhaling, she picked at the homemade biscuit. Holy snap. She hadn't seen that one coming. She forced herself to relax and think of Maree as a friend and not the mother of a man she'd had a wild fling with.
Friends, you talked to. She could do this. "I was married once." She sighed. She'd talked to very few people about her relationship with Doug. Her therapist had told her to share her past with others and it'd get easier with each telling. So she guessed Maree would be a good place to start. "I started dating Doug when I was fifteen. We married when I was eighteen." It'd been a foolish thing to do.
"I married young too." Maree's eyes lightened.
"Well, my marriage wasn't something I'd wish on another." No, it'd taken her a long time to get over it. "Doug was obsessive and abusive. I was too young to see things clearly." No, that wasn't entirely true. Therapy had helped her to see she hadn't been in the wrong in the things she'd learned to ignore. "Anyway, when I was twenty-one, in a rage he pushed me down our stairs." She swallowed the old pain erupting in her heart. "I lost the baby I was carrying." A little girl she'd been allowed to love through five months. A daughter she'd already named Ginger.
"I'm so sorry." Maree's hand went to her mouth.
Her vision blurred. "All I remember was such horrible pain. I thought I was dying. Doug came after me again. He was furious because I'd fallen... I kicked out... He hit his head..." Even now, the sound of his skull cracking echoed in her mind. She'd killed Doug. She'd killed her husband. There'd been no trial because of the beating he'd given her and her sweet baby... An act of self-defense, the prosecutor had said. But there'd been fallout. Some friends, even some family, wouldn't look at her again.
"Oh, Kaycee." Maree moved around the table to sit on her right. "I'm so sorry."
"I'm a survivor, Maree." She tried to smile. "No ulterior motives from me. I came here because I was ready to start my life over. Your country is such a beautiful place." After a calming breath, she stood. "One day I want to be loved. I want to be in love. Ridiculous. Consuming. The I-can't-live-without-you kind of love." She exhaled. That hadn't been nearly as painful as she'd expected. "I'm going to wash these dishes up."
"Everyone deserves a chance at the real deal." Maree joined her at the sink. "I'll dry them then."
"Be sure to take your lunch." With no other choice, Kaycee took hold of the handles of the basket. A bit dazed, she eyed first Maree, then Miller.
"Thanks, Mum." Being no help whatsoever, he put his hat on. "Come on, Yank."
Maree nudged her. "Best not keep him waiting."
She snorted, but followed. How had her life taken such a turn? Last night, she hadn't slept well. The morning had been spent talking to Miller's mom. The hours of chatter had been nice. It was clear the way Maree talked, she loved her boys.
And now, she'd been given a picnic lunch for two. How was she going to get out of spending time alone with Miller? She worried her lower lip. Second thoughts niggled at her mind. Maybe being friends with Miller wasn't such a good idea after all. Her desire for him had only intensified. Pretending nothing had happened between them was difficult.
Outside, she surveyed the yard. Not a dog in sight. This was good. A single pup wasn't so bad. But a pack gave her the willies.
Miller stood beside a sharp-looking truck. The dust didn't distract much from the midnight blue that gleamed in the sunlight.
"Real nice." With both hands, she clutched the basket.
"Here." In his hand dangled a set of keys. "You can use it to get back and forth from where you need to go."
"This looks new."
"It'll get you around."
Breath caught, delight danced in her stomach. Him offering her his truck... Well, it was a surprise. Up north he'd given her surprises. "I saved money for something used." She eyed the shiny chrome on the big tires.
"This has air, a radio for emergencies and a global navigation system." He laid the keys on top of the wicker. "I know you'll be safe in this. You drive." He left her then to walk around to the passenger side.
Domineering. The man liked to be in control. Although she did like the fact he wanted her safe, giddiness, eagerness and hope sparked in her heart.
No. Don't do this to yourself. Just friends.
She supposed it wouldn't hurt to drive for now. She shut her mouth. Driving would be the best way to pay attention. Memorize the lay of the land. She needed to learn the roads to be able to get around. At least this way she'd have a distraction to keep her mind off Miller. Because sitting next to his big, delicious body was going to be torture. Sexual arousal at its finest. Look. But don't touch.
She sighed.
Giving in, she climbed inside, though it was no easy task. Good thing it had a running board. Clearly the truck wasn't made with short people in mind.
Miller pulled the lunch basket out of the way to place it in the backseat. Settled in, she turned the engine over, enjoying the blast of already-cooling air from the vents.
"Really nice wheels." She regarded him. "Which way?"
"We'll head out to Brady's property first." Briefly, he worked with the navigation system. "On, off." His long fingers shifted on the piece of equipment. "Volume is here."
"Got it." Looked easy enough.
"I've got three directions set. Brady's pub, his property and my home." He used the gadget to set directions to the property and sat back in the seat. "I've turned it off now, but all you need to do is turn it on and listen to the computer. Head that way until you come to a crossroad."
"Okay. Got it. Does this bad boy have music too?" She loved music. Absolutely loved it. Music, like laughter, soothed a soul.
Miller grunted and turned on some tunes. "It's satellite radio. The far right button on the steering wheel will scan, if you want."
With the press of her index finger, she zipped through a few channels until something caught her interest. An old Bryan Adams song started up. Everything I do.
Her breath caught. She did nothing but listen. With the song, the tides of emotions she'd been experiencing calmed.
God, she'd always loved the old love balled.
Under her breath, she hummed along. Once the lyrics died away, she focused on her thumping heart. She'd never had a song before with anyone but felt like she had one now. With Miller. Isn't that crazy? But, she was done pretending she didn't care. Pretending she could only be his friend. Because she did. She cared for Miller a whole lot. Their fling had turned out to be so much more for her.
"That was a great song."
"Turn coming up." When he pointed in a direction, she turned the truck.
"Anything special you like to listen to?"
"Nope. Listen to what you want." His half grin caused her stomach to flip. "Now, if it was the telly..."
She laughed, growing more at ease by the moment. Though he hadn't stayed in the bedroom with her long last night, the ice cream had been a nice touch. An icebreaker, so to speak. Even now, he was going out of his way to make her comfortable.
The question that kept niggling the back of her mind was why? Of course, she couldn't see him making someone uncomfortable.
Stop making yourself crazy. Don't try to read anything into the situation.
Time slipped by while she drove. She listened to music and did her best not to dwell on what-ifs. Or possibilities.
As they approached the small house, her foot let off the gas. The truck drifted up closer. Several parked trucks stopped their trek. She counted a half dozen, maybe more, and men going in and out of the house, carrying material.
Some piled trash into the bed of one truck. Others moved to take new lumber inside.
She hadn't been expecting this.
Unease replaced the calmness she'd been experiencing. She put the truck in park and turned it off. "Miller, what's going on? Did Brady approve of this?"
"Come on, luv, nothing to worry about." He pushed his door open and stepped from the truck.
Nothing to worry about? That alone was cause for concern. Scrambling out, she followed him. Only to be dumped on her butt as the heel on her boot snapped off. A quick vibration of pain ran up her spine.
"Holy shit."
"You all right?" Miller was already there, urging her up from the running board.
"I forgot about the step." That had been more like a drop-off for her. She looked down at her ruined boot.
He leaned down and picked up the broken heel. His frown got her attention. "What the fuck?" He angled the heel her way so she could see inside the material of the chunky sole. Something the size of a cigarette lighter rested there.
"Now that's a strange manufacturing glitch." She compressed her lips as she watched him remove the thingamajig and put it inside his front pocket.
"Queer as fuck."
"Miller." The Native cussed over everything.
Concentrating, he removed the rest of the long boot from her foot and leg. A moment of silence passed as he examined some of the designs. With a finger, he traced a bit of the metal-like material that ran up the side from a buckle. "Queer as fuck." He stuck the leather casing behind the driver's seat.
"I hardly think it's worth keeping."
"Eh, well, as queer as it is, I'm going to send it to be checked out."
Connections and money could get anything looked at, she supposed. Though it seemed like a waste to her.
He tossed the heel into the bed of his truck. "Get in. I'll drive you home for other shoes."
"Oh, I've got sandals." She climbed back inside for her carry all. Never leave home unprepared would remain her motto. From a large Ziploc, she withdrew sexy summer sandals.
"Those won't do."
"They will for now." She took her other boot off. "It took us forever to get here." She sighed when she removed the ruined boot. "What a bummer. I loved these." They'd added three full inches to her height.
"They nearly broke your pretty neck." He folded his arms.
Humph. She shook her head and changed the subject to what was important. "Tell me what's going on here." Quickly, she slipped her sandals on before climbing back down. "This doesn't look like a few repairs, this looks like a renovation. Did Brady approve this?"
"You let me worry about Brady."
Kaycee moaned. Wanted to shake him. "Miller, tell them to stop." She'd spoken to both Brady and his wife briefly yesterday. Neither had mentioned a restoration.
"Figured it'd be best to get a full crew out here."
"You figured?" As tall as he stood, she noted he blocked her from the others' view. This was a good thing considering her temper was biting at her nerves.
"Eh, I did."
"Oh my God. I can't afford this." She couldn't. It'd be impossible. It'd likely wipe out her funds.
"Yank, stop your worrying. I said I'll take care of it." He pushed his hat back. "And I will."
Lowering her lashes, she exhaled.
Something was happening here. Something more than Miller helping her out in a bind. He'd spent a large amount on their fling. And in the whirlwind of things, she'd let him. Now he was dumping more cash for her. Which he didn't need to...
Maybe this is his way of saying he likes you.
You asked the man to share a hotel room with you.
Take another risk.
Yes, it was time. If she allowed herself to really think about it, he'd been trying for a while. The use of his truck. The ice cream last night. Even inviting her into his home. Especially inviting her into his home. What man would do that if he didn't care?
"Miller?"
"Eh?"
"If you like me, I think it'd be a lot cheaper just to ask me out."
Instantly, his gaze went to a heavy-lidded half mast.
Oh, God, she loved the look on him. "Seriously, way cheaper."
A single step brought him into her personal space.
Panicked, she sidestepped him. "I wanted to ask you to stay with me so bad back at the hotel..." She'd been terrified of rejection. Rejection would've been so much worse than to simply part ways as they'd agreed to.
"Kaycee." Her name in his accent rushed along her nerve endings. At this rate, she'd be melted butter in no time.
"I'd like to get to know you, Miller." Breathless, she held her hand up as if to stall his advance. "And I'd like for you to get to know me...before...before we have sex again."
Miller growled low in his throat.
"Can we?" She moistened her lips. "Do you want to get to know me?"
Oh, please say yes.
"Eh, Kaycee, I do." Another step closer had their body heat mingling.
Grinning, she ran her hands up his chest, over his shoulders to encourage him to lean down for a kiss. His mouth was gentle on her lips while his hands clasped her upper arms. She teased his lips and tongue until the whistles and cat calls registered.
Holy snap. Laughing, she burrowed closer to him. "Make them stop."
"Back to work!" His chest vibrated from the call. "Or you're all fired."
"Miller." She shook her head at him and took a step back. "Oh, about the repairs. I want them stopped too."
"Now, Yank, that's between the old man and me." With a palm, he patted his chest.
The truck rumbled over the road. Kaycee was glad not to be driving. She'd always preferred to be a passenger. She preferred to daydream or read while another drove. "Thank you for showing me around." They'd spent some three hours going here and there.
After stopping by Brady's property, he'd shown her one of the five neighbors she'd be checking in on. An elderly woman with diabetes. It'd been clear the woman wasn't taking care of herself.
"I'll show you the other neighbors tomorrow." Miller's gaze flickered her way before he focused on the roadway once more. "We'll take a birdie to save time."
"All right." She sighed, watched as the land slipped by.
She hadn't been expecting to make house calls but had been excited when Connor's e-mail had arrived late last night with instructions and directions.
It appeared she'd be busy.
"You want to eat back at the house or at the bunkhouses?"
"Oh, um..." Recalling how pushy Maree had been over the picnic basket, she smiled easily. It'd been clear Miller's mom had wanted them to have alone time. She planned to take advantage of the opportunity. "The bunkhouse."
Abruptly, the truck jolted as he cut down a gravel road. While they'd traveled on a road made of asphalt, the traveling out here for the most part was anything but smooth. Though now Miller was driving them straight up to a picnic area. "Nice setup." She pointed toward the grills.
"We like our barbeques." He stopped the truck and pocketed the keys. He reached back for a blanket before leaving the truck.
Grabbing the basket, she climbed down from the cab. Butterflies awoke in her tummy. "I feel as nervous as I did at my senior prom."
"What was that, luv?" Miller glanced back her way.
"Nothing." She was being silly. There was no need to be nervous. Or overly excited.
Miller walked over into the shade the pavilion's roof provided and dropped the blanket to the grass. He knelt to spread the corners out.
Quietly, she joined him to settle down with the basket. She sat within inches of his hip. "Any idea what your mom packed?"
"Nope."
The Native was back to being a man of few words. Strange, he seemed more open last night. Still, she didn't mind his silence. She'd never been as comfortable around another person. He made her feel safe, protected. It was a good way to feel. He also made her feel wanton. And deliciously sexy. Something else she'd not experienced before.
He removed his hat to run his hand through his hair. Instead of replacing the hat, he put it down on his other side. "So where do you want to go for our date?" He didn't turn her way, simply looked out over the never-ending landscape.
"Why, I thought this was our first date." She studied his handsome profile.
He rested back on his elbows. "This isn't much of a date."
"I think this place is lovely." She opened the basket to place a wrapped sandwich on his chest. And a water bottle nearby for him. "A perfect place for a date. Nice weather."
"It's bloody hot."
Well, it was hot. It'd been a scorcher since she'd arrived in Australia. But she'd gotten used to the heat.
"And my company, well, he's yummy." There, he couldn't say something negative to that.
"Luv." His accent washed over her nerve ending. With a rough hand, he reached out and cupped her cheek, caressed her skin. She turned her head and kissed his fingertips. As she watched, his gaze darkened to send a shiver through her.
Oh, she liked that sexy look on him.
Exhaling nosily, he shifted onto his side to face her. "If you've got some place in mind you want to go, I'll take you."
She shook her head. "I just want to get to know you, Native."
Once again she surveyed the picnic area the station had for their guests. The pavilion and surrounding land was empty now. The quiet enveloped them. Nowhere could be more peaceful. An endless blue sky with a rolling green blanketing the Earth.
He ate two sandwiches to her one as they shared the water bottle. "This is good." She wadded her baggie up and shoved it into the cooler side of the basket.
"Eh, kangaroo salad."
Kaycee gasped. "Miller, that was chicken salad!"
"Maybe." A half grin softened his face.
She pounced on him, he allowed her to force him to lie back on the blanket. "You're not going to tease me like that."
He laughed roughly and caught her hips in his hands.
"I did not just eat a cute little roo."
"Hell no, kangaroos are bloody mean-tempered bastards."
Laughing, she lowered her head to kiss him. "Oh, Miller." Her lips lingered over his. "I like it when you tease me."
His response was no more than a grunt.
Nibbling on his lower lip, she straddled his waist. She leaned over, only to have him push back up onto his elbows so she could reach him more easily. A gasp of excitement rushed from her mouth into his as she settled on his confined cock.
She loved the feel of his mouth against hers. Loved kissing him so much...
Panting, she cradled his face in her hands. Her fingers trembled at the feel of his jaws working to embrace her mouth, deepen the kiss. His caressing lips and exploring tongue kindled her desire, provoked her responses to a keenness that left her shaken.
A kiss turned into another and another, then another. Breathless, she whimpered.
Arousal wet her panties. Swelled her breasts. Her nipples ached to be pinched and pulled on. She rocked her hips delighting in his hard cock that teased her through their clothes.
Like a glutton, her lips clung to his in a kiss that scorched her from the inside out. "Oh..." She rolled her hips a time or two to enjoy his rigid length. Delicious sensations swirled in her center, threatening to consume her. "Oh, a swim under that waterfall up north would be wonderful right now." Yes, she was that hot. A swim to cool off would be heavenly.
Reluctantly, she straightened up.
"You want to go back up north?" The lines of his handsome face were tense. Sweat coated his forehead.
"I'd love to." She placed a single kiss on his compressed lips. "I'd love to, but I need to get settled."
"Just say the word, and we'll go."
"Don't tempt me." She laughed.
"Anything you want, Yank." His cock remained as rigid as a board.
"Miller?" She turned serious.
"Eh?"
"Don't let me rush getting to know you. Let's work at getting to know one another." She pressed her lips to his once more and moaned. "Promise me." She wanted to know everything about him. She wanted to know enough about him so she'd remember him long after she had to return to the States. So she'd remember him forever. As much as she'd needed a new beginning, her mom and sister were in the States. From the phone calls, her mom already missed her. And she them.
His mouth opened, inviting her into its warmth. Tangling a hand in her hair, he sat up. A groan rumbled from his chest. He broke the kiss. His lips brushed her temple. "Whatever you want." Rough breaths rushed through his nose. He swallowed. "But if you need, want time, you'll need to get off my lap."
"Oh." She scrambled off, allowing him to stand. "Oh." Heat spread up her face. She didn't want him to think she was a tease after the sex they'd shared before... To get him all worked up and to call a halt. Clearly she'd gotten carried away.
He straightened to his full height, before raking his fingers through his hair. He blew out a breath and put his hat on. The bulge in his pants didn't lessen. "You looking at it isn't going to help my situation."
"Oh." She glanced up to find his sexy half smile in place. She smiled in return. "I can't help myself. It's so big."
He shook his head at her silliness.
Kaycee sighed. "I suppose I need to get back so I can get ready for my shift at Brady's."
"Reckon so." He scooped up the blanket.
Sighing, she collected the basket. A step or two behind him, she followed. Maybe getting to know him better wasn't as necessary as she'd originally thought. She'd never been so comfortable with anyone the way she was Miller.
Miller hesitated before entering the pub. He probably should've just stayed home, but after the excellent day he'd had with Kaycee, he'd wanted to see her again. So, after showering, he'd set out for town. Besides, he had a package to send out to his brother. Since the postie was located in town, it left him little choice.
Bloody hell. Fact was he wanted to see her again, other reasons be damned. Needed to make sure none of the jackaroos gave her a hard time. The muscles in his shoulders tensed. No he didn't like the idea of any bloke near Kaycee. After what had happened with Emily, with Denae, he worried that someone might steal Kaycee's attention. Realistically, it was possible.
Inside, his sister-in-law, Hayleigh, and a neighbor, Isabella, caught his attention. He glanced down at his watch for the date. Fuck. He'd forgotten the bi-weekly card game. "G'day." He leaned over to grasp the back of a chair at their table. "G'day, Isabella."
"G'day, Miller."
"Glad you made it." Hayleigh smiled. "Cohen's running late too."
"About that..." He straightened in an attempt to catch Kaycee's eye. She worked at one end of the bar while old man Brady stood at the other. Growing agitated, his gaze narrowed when it appeared she purposely avoided looking his way. What the fuck? Why wouldn't she look at him?
"She's American like me." Hayleigh looked over her shoulder, then back at him. "Issy and I chatted with her a few minutes earlier."
He grunted. Obviously, Co hadn't given his missus an earful yet. Because he was bloody sure T would've spread word of his "friendship" with Kaycee throughout the station.
"You all right, Miller?" Isabella took a drink of her amber fluid. The ladies exchanged a glance.
Kaycee headed into the storage room.
"Sure. Be right back." On a mission, he followed her.
After a quick knock, he stuck his head in. "How's the evening going?"
"You lied to me." In her gaze, a storm blew.
"What?" Stepping inside, he closed and locked the door. "I've never lied about a bloody thing."
"I don't like liars." Tightlipped, she turned around. "It's strange how a day can nosedive."
What the bloody fuck? "Yank?" As he attempted to reach for her, she sidestepped away.
"On the plane, I asked if you were involved."
"I'm not." What had gotten into her?
"The woman with your sister-in-law..."
"Isabella?" Putting his hands on his hips, he stared. "What about her?"
"She cares about you."
"We play fucking cards a couple times a month." He exhaled to calm himself. There was absolutely nothing between Isabella and him.
Sure, he was no fool. He'd figured Hayleigh had tried to set the two of them up. But there hadn't ever been a spark of attraction on his part. He played cards to have the time with his brother. Nothing more.
Kaycee's expression was unbelieving. "I listened to the woman talk about you."
"We play fucking cards together." Hell, he even preferred to have Hayleigh as a partner. His sister-in-law played better.
"How long have you been playing cards?"
"Few months." Four or five maybe. He shrugged, not seeing that it mattered.
"Okay, so you don't think there's anything between you two..." She moistened her lips. "What about how I felt... How I wanted you to stay with me back in the hotel?"
What Kaycee and he had shared didn't compare to cards. Fuck. He didn't want to do this.
"Well, what if Isabella has feelings for you and hasn't said anything because of fear of rejection?"
Sweat beaded his palms. Did the Yank expect him to respond?
"The way I felt." She waved a hand. "I was terrified of being rejected by you."
Tension knotted his muscles. Bugger me. Where was she going with this? "Luv, I'll talk to Isabella. Don't get worked up over nothing."
"I don't think my concerns are nothing."
Bugger me.
"Don't look at me that way." She ducked her head. "Isabella said she looked forward to tonight. Called it a date." Stormy eyes tore at him.
"I'll talk to Isabella." Bloody fuck, he'd talk to Hayleigh too.
"I don't want to be the cause of conflict." She shook her head. "The way things happened between us... Maybe...maybe..." Lower lip quivering with emotion, she looked away. "Maybe we shouldn't be doing this."
Bloody fuck. Moving, before she could get out of his reach, he caught her shoulders in his hands.
"I don't want to disrupt your life." Kaycee's hands gripped his wrists, nails dug into his skin. "Only to leave."
Disrupt his life? His life had been fuller now than he wanted to admit. "None of that." He kissed her gently. Or tried to. There'd be no talk of leaving. At least, not yet. Her lips clung to his as he deepened the embrace.
She moaned, snuggled closer.
Prick throbbing, he cupped her arse to press the rigid length into her soft body. His fingers roved up to drift under her shirt. The delicate skin of her lower back tempted him to get closer.
Don't let me rush getting to know you...
Let's work at getting to know one another.
Chest heaving, he raised his head to rest his forehead on hers. Damn, but she had him feeling like a young man again.
As much as he wanted to rush through this discovery period, he wouldn't. For her, he'd stay in control.
Moist lips nibbled at his. With nimble fingers, she unbuttoned a few of his shirt's top buttons. Early on, he'd figured out she had a thing for touching his chest. It was a habit of hers he liked. Without stopping, her fingers delved into the hair that covered his skin. She petted him as if she couldn't help herself. It was a big turn-on. She caressed him until her breathing calmed, until his heart rate eased.
He cleared his throat. "You okay now?"
"Yeah." She exhaled. "I'm sorry about..."
"No harm done, luv." Fact was, he'd liked her show of jealousy. It'd been a first in his life. But most importantly, he was damn glad his world hadn't gone to hell. He allowed his hands to drop to his sides. "I'd better get out of here."
"Yeah."
"I can wait around."
"No." The smile she treated him to showcased her dimples. "You need to get some rest."
Supposing he did, he nodded.
Kaycee looked as if she meant to say more.
When she didn't, he left her alone, pulling the door closed behind him. The room seemed to quiet when he entered. He glared at a few blokes nearby who wore grins.
Long strides carried him across the room. Cohen had joined Hayleigh and Isabella. "Mate." His brother winked. "Ordered you a pint."
Miller picked up the mug, but didn't take the seat. He brought the mug to his mouth only to set it back down. At the bar, it looked as if Brady was giving Kaycee a what for. Through narrowed eyes it looked as if Kaycee had just said a few choice words of her own. It was difficult to follow. The two were trying to be discreet in their argument. He'd seen that look on her face before. At the airport when she'd been pissed. Only then it'd been at him.
Actually, she looked more disgruntled now than he'd seen her before.
What the fuck was going on now?
His temper heated his blood.
Eyes narrowed, he watched as Kaycee picked up her bag and headed his way. Her face was flushed. Oh eh, the Yank was pissy about something.
All eyes were on her as she crossed the room.
There wasn't long to wait before he knew why. At his side, she grabbed hold of his collar to get him to bend over. She pressed her lips to his ear. "Brady just fired me. Fired me." Her hand tightened on his shirt as her voice rose. "Do you want to know why?"
No. "Eh, I do."
"Because he said I wasn't allowed to use his storage room as a place for business."
"Bloody fuck no," he roared on the move. The old man hadn't...
Kaycee blocked him with a palm to his chest. "Do not make any more of a scene."
Fuming he stared hard across the pub, then down at Kaycee.
"Please, no scene."
He straightened to his full height. As the realization hit him his fists knotted. The old man had let her go because of his mooch of a bastard son. Their minute alone in the storage room had simply been an excuse.
Cohen snickered.
Kaycee's gray eyes cut his little brother off at the knees. A high flush still covered her face. "I'm starting to think you're bad luck." She raised a finger. "First, I nearly had a heart attack when your engine stalled from dirt." A second finger was raised. "I lost one of my very favorite pair of boots. And third, for the first time in my life, I've just been fired."
"I'll talk to the old..."
"No, you won't either. It's done." Turning her back on him, she left him standing there.
Miller glared at Brady who had gone on with his business. He glanced the way Kaycee had gone. "Bugger me."
"This is bloody excellent." Cohen wore a shit-eating grin. One Miller wanted to wipe off his brother's face. Eh, a round with his brother would relieve him of some of his anger over Brady's action.
Talking to Brady would be pointless. "I've got to go."
"Better hurry." Hayleigh waved him away.
"Isabella." What to say?
"Go on, Miller." Isabella smile was gentle, though he didn't look too deeply into her eyes. "Maybe next time we can play singles and Kaycee can join us."
"Thanks a heap." He tipped his hat and followed his Yank.
On the telly a game played, though for the first time that he could recall, he paid little attention to it. Nope. Damn hard to pay attention with a stiff prick filling out your pants.
Curvy thighs in shorts and breasts in a tight shirt held him captive. The Yank's hair hung loose. And her scent. Christ, from where he sat on his end of the couch he could smell her clean, soft scent but he couldn't touch her.
He wanted to touch her. Bury his nose in that mass of black hair, between her lush breasts. And then between her legs to inhale the most intoxicating scent of all.
Kaycee's wet pussy.
A breath shuddered through him, and he shifted once more. The movement brought no relief to his confined prick.
Nearly an hour ago, they'd arrived home separately, a few minutes apart from each other. She hadn't given him a chance to talk to her again, though she seemed to be over the mood she'd left from the pub in.
There was no figuring her out. Had he been the one fired, he'd still be shitty. Not Kaycee.
She'd painted her nails and toes while his mum chatted with her from her position in the rocker.
A jolt went through him every bloody time he looked over Kaycee's way. He couldn't get used to her being there with him. Before her, he'd never thought he'd be so comfortable with a woman.
But he was.
Now, if he only had a clue on how to figure the mystery of getting her back in bed, he'd be damn happy. Supposing he should start by finding out why the hell she was sitting on the other end of the couch, he picked up his phone and pressed in a text. "Why are you sitting over there?"
Lips pursed she dug into her bag at the text alert. It'd been a good move on his part when he'd sent one of the hands from out at Brady's property to town to pick her up a phone that had a better chance of getting reception out here.
She used only her thumbs to type.
Moments later, he read, "I believe, Mr. Thorn, I was sitting before you were. Why are you sitting way over there?"
He grunted before gazing at her profile. Christ, she's a beaut.
Another text arrived getting his attention. "I thought the way your mom manipulated the situation with the picnic, you wouldn't want her to know about us."
Although he didn't want to flame the fire where his mum was concerned, he used his index finger to type. "Get you pretty arse over here."
Kaycee slid only halfway to him before she sent another note. "Better?"
Under his mum's scrutiny, he ran his hand along the back of the couch. At least now, he could toy with her hair.
"I bet M wouldn't mind teaching you to ride." His mum looked at him expectantly. Apparently, he should've been paying attention to their talk.
"Oh, no." Kaycee set her feet on the coffee table and wiggled her toes. "I know he's busy. Travis has already promised to."
Fuck, no. T would be too busy ogling her eyes to pay any mind to a lesson. If she wanted to learn to ride, she'd learn to ride right. From him. He leaned deeper into the couch. "That boy isn't teaching you to ride."
"Travis isn't a boy." Her gray gaze didn't blink. "He's a young man."
"Same difference."
"There is too a difference. He says he's been riding since he was two."
Teeth clenched, he spared a glance at his mum, looking for some reinforcement. His eyes narrowed on her. She looked almost gleeful.
A horn sounded from the yard, getting him on his feet.
No one laid on a horn that way unless something was wrong. He headed toward the kitchen with his mum and Kaycee following.
Travis rolled the truck to a stop only inches from the porch. "Fuck, Grandpa almost killed Lee." Travis climbed out, but Miller was already moving around to the passenger side to his injured cousin. "I called Doc. Told him I was bringing him here. I didn't know where else to take him."
Lee's head rested back. A black eye, busted nose and split lip dominated his face. He was unconscious. From the bruises littering Lee's face and arms, he'd taken a beating. A bad one. "What the fuck happened?" The real question was why?
Miller yanked the door open to get Lee out. As gently as he could, he eased Lee around to face him. His cousin moaned when his feet hit the ground.
Miller hunched down so he could wedge Lee over his shoulder. Lee was built more like his brothers. While he was built like a brick shithouse, so he didn't have any trouble hefting him up. Another moan tore through Lee when he took his first step. "Hang on, mate. I'll get you inside."
Kaycee had disappeared.
Tears swam in his mum's eyes.
The steps were slow going. Pressure built in his spine. His shoulder and neck ached by the time he got Lee inside.
Once he had Lee in his mum's sewing room, Travis helped him get Lee on the bed.
Kaycee reappeared then with a stethoscope around her neck. "What happened to him?" She set about loosening Lee's clothes.
Together, they managed to get his clothes off down to his undershorts.
Light red bruises littered his body.
Travis was shaking. "Um. Grandpa kicked the shit out of him." The boy's throat worked. "Fucking kicked the shit out of him. And my dad just stood there and let him." A tic formed in Travis's check.
Miller's eyes narrowed. Matt had just stood there? What kind of example was that for his son, Travis? Why the bloody fuck would Matt allow his twin, Lee, to be beaten? He'd always thought his twin cousins were close. Fact was, Lee and Matt had been inseparable until the last few years.
"I've never seen anyone just take a beating like that." Travis wiped his nose on his sleeve. "Lee didn't fight back. Fuck, Grandpa kicked him hard in the balls a time or two. Lee was puking his guts out." The boy swallowed. "I didn't think I was going to get Grandpa off him."
Why had his uncle Aaron gone after one of his sons in such a violent way?
Kaycee straightened up from where she'd been listening to Lee's lungs. "I believe he has a punctured lung. My guess from the discoloration on his body, there's internal bruising." She pointed to a nasty bruise on his head. "And a concussion." Sorrow clouded the gray depths of her gaze. "Will Connor be here soon?"
"He was already on the way before we hung up." Travis turned away from the bed.
"Maree, do you have ice packs? I'd like to put one on the knot on his head." She laid her equipment on the night stand.
"Be right back." His mum left the room.
Working around animals, Miller had seen enough injuries to know his cousin was going to be in a lot of discomfort when he woke. His mouth twisted. And his own father had worked him over good on a regular basis. He'd just never compiled injury on injury. And he'd never known Uncle Aaron to be so violent.
His uncle had to have been bloody pissed off. Sharply, he looked at Travis. "Why did Aaron turn on Lee?"
A flush spread up his cousin's neck. Without meeting either of their gazes. Travis left the room.
"I'll sit with Lee until Connor arrives." Kaycee's gaze expressed only concern. She looked back to Lee.
After a nod, Miller followed.
In the kitchen, Travis paced back and forth in agitation. His hands fisted white knuckled.
"Might as well spill." Miller braced a shoulder against the doorframe. "I'm going to find out one way or another."
The flush deepened on the boy's face. "Grandpa caught him kissing."
"And?" Both his parents had caught Ethan fooling around with a girl a time or two. Cohen too, now that he thought about it.
"With..." Travis didn't meet his gaze. "With another bloody man."
"That's bullshit." Unable to picture it, Miller folded his arms. "Pure bullshit."
"Look, I'm telling you. Grandpa would've killed him had it not been for Grandmum." Travis raked a shaky hand through his hair. "Grandmum's hollering got me to the barn. I've never heard anyone swear the way Grandpa did... The things he was saying to Lee. Grandmum was crying..." He went outside to pace on the porch.
Miller followed.
"Grandpa said Lee was no longer his son." Emotion poured off Travis in waves.
Bloody hell. Was it possible? Did Lee prefer men? Definitely not what he'd expected.
"Fuck." Travis's jaw bulged. "Dad stood there and let Grandpa beat on Lee. He wouldn't even help me get him in the bloody truck." Travis turned to face him, his face tight. "You got anything to say?"
"I'm still thinking." Though it was damn hard to wrap his mind around Lee preferring men. Simply not something he wanted to think about. But Aaron could've killed him. And that pissed him the fuck off.
"Lee make you sick too?"
Miller shook his head. He didn't give a rat's arse who Lee fucked.
"What Grandpa did---what Dad did---just standing there, wasn't right."
"I'll give you that."
"Fuck! It wasn't right." Travis turned away again. "You and Lee taught me to fly."
"Eh. We did." They'd been training the boy since he was four. Although still young, Travis was a damn good pilot. Knew his own skill. Never took risks.
"I'm leaving tonight." T kept his back to him. "I'm getting the fuck out of this shithole."
Releasing a slow breath, Miller stayed quiet. The boy had been talking about leaving for a long time now. And like he'd figured with Ethan, he'd known Travis didn't fit in out here either. At least, not yet. The boy needed to see some of the world. Needed to decide if home was as bad as it seemed from his inexperienced point of view.
"I'm going to join the military." The boy's eyes didn't waver. A man's gaze full of determination stared hard at him. "Maybe even take on a fighter jet."
Miller grunted. Travis had been itching to man a jet since he'd learned to walk. It was time the boy followed his dream of breaking the sound barrier. Just as Ethan had followed his and conquered the ocean. Just has he had his brother, he'd support Travis in reaching his goal any way he could.
"Will you tell Lee I'll call him sometime?" This time, Travis didn't look his way.
"He'll be awake soon enough. You might ought to wait and tell him yourself." He bit back to keep from saying more. Lee had always been good to the boy. It'd be a damn shame for Travis not to see Lee before he left. But Travis was making decisions as a man now and had to make them on his own.
"I can't." Travis shook his head. "I can't. I don't think what Grandpa and Dad did was right. But Lee liking men..." He finally glanced Miller's way. "Well, that isn't right either."
Miller remained silent. He'd never given homosexuality much thought. Had never known a homosexual. Didn't think Lee's preference was any of his bloody business. He had enough on his plate that was his business.
"Anyway, thanks, M."
"You'll need clothes."
"I'm going to stop by home."
"Got any money saved?"
"Some." Travis lowered his gaze.
Eh, he hadn't had much money when he'd been the boy's age either. "Hold on a sec." He went into his office with Travis on his heels. From his safe, he withdrew two grand and passed it over as he stood. "It'll go fast, so take it easy."
"Thanks, big M." Travis embraced him, and then stepped back. "I'll pay you back."
"No need." He could still remember what a bitch it'd been to be young. The money meant little to him. Especially since Travis had little of his own. "You concentrate on manning those high-powered birdies."
"I'll call." Travis extended his hand.
Miller shook it in farewell as he clasped T's shoulder with his free hand. "You do that."
His cousin left him then. Back out on the porch he watched as Travis drove away.
On light footsteps, his mum joined him. "Alba is distraught. Says Aaron's been drinking hard since Travis left with Lee."
Eh, Miller's own father had always turned to drink after he'd pulled out his belt or gotten rough with his fists.
Sighing, he wrapped an arm around his mum's shoulders. Auntie and his mum had always been close. His mum and Auntie Alba had married into the Thorn family in the same year. "Auntie tell you what happened?" Until today he'd always thought Auntie had gotten the better of the Thorn elders. Now he wasn't so sure.
She nodded. "Lee was lucky he'd been Aaron's and not your father's son." Her voice wavered, "Your father..."
"I know, Mum." There was no reason for her to go on. If his father had been in Uncle Aaron's place, Lee wouldn't have likely survived. His father had always been easy to rile. His father's hate and disappointment had poured out through his fists.
"Once Connor examines Lee, I'm going to drive out and check on Alba."
"All right." He surveyed the distance. It'd be awhile before Doc arrived. "I'll drive you."
"I'll be fine. I'll stay over there in case Alba wants company." Her hand patted his back. "Besides, someone needs to be here in case Lee needs to get up. Kaycee's too little to be hauling that boy around."
Eh, his Yank was too small to handle Lee's weight if he fell or needed help. No telling how long the Doc would stay around. "Suppose not." After a squeeze, he released her.
"Besides, no reason to give you a chance to butt heads with Aaron, either."
"Nope." If the old man started running his mouth, Miller might lose his own temper, and Auntie had had to deal with enough shit for one day.
"Connor." Kaycee touched the doctor on his shoulder and yawned. It had been a long night for everyone. Arriving late, the doctor had stayed over. She'd done what she could to assist him.
But she hadn't slept well. The hours of worrying over Lee's wellbeing or, more importantly, how Miller was taking the assault to his cousin, had taken their toll.
Lee had been beaten severely. As badly as she'd once been, only he hadn't fought back...he hadn't lost a baby.
Her heart shuddered.
No. Don't think about that night ever again. Or any other night with Doug. She shook off the forbidden thoughts once again.
"Yes." Connor's brown gaze was instantly alert. He turned to the bed where Lee slept.
"You want some breakfast?" The first rays of light peeked out from the night.
The doctor cleared his throat. "Can I take it to go? I want to get Lee back to my clinic."
"Of course. I'll bag it up"
Their plan was that Miller would fly Connor and Lee to the doctor's home, and she'd follow in his car. Besides Lee's punctured lung that Connor had inflated, with Lee's broken ribs and testicular trauma, a short flight would be far easier on him than a vehicle bumping along. Connor fretted there might be serious injury to his testicles.
She'd never forget the look on Connor's face when Miller had explained what had happened. The doctor had been beyond furious.
Injuries like the one Lee suffered happened in sports on occasion. But knowing Lee's father had tried to unman his son because of his sexual preferences made Kaycee sick.
She clasped the doorknob in her hand. "Miller wanted you to know he'll be ready to fly in twenty minutes."
"Thanks a heap, sheila."
"You're welcome." She eased the door closed and hurried to the kitchen.
Quickly, she made six breakfast sandwiches of toast, eggs and ham and wrapped them up. After cleaning the dishes, she filled a thermos with coffee. Collected water bottles and apples for the cooler. Satisfied she had the meal for Miller and Connor, she packed it up before she washed her hands.
No sooner had she headed toward Miller's bedroom than she heard an approaching plane. And the sound of a car engine or two. It was hard to tell. The bush plane was very noisy.
She met Cohen and Luke coming in the door. "Hello." She sought Cohen's gaze, which was so much like his brother's. Though, other than the blond hair, she didn't see much of a resemblance between the two. Miller was broader, and simply better looking to her. "I'm sorry about Lee."
"Yeah, me too." His mouth compressed.
"Miller will be here any minute. You two want some coffee?" She moved to the pot and poured two cups.
Luke's coal black skin set off the white of his teeth. "Sheila, the boss treating you right?" He accepted the cup from her as Cohen did his.
"Yes, he's been very kind to me." Generous too. She sighed.
The two men exchanged looks.
They both focused on their drinks so she set about tidying up one more time.
Boots clumped on the steps. Miller came through carrying a stretcher. Nothing was said as they all followed Miller to the bedroom.
Lee's face appeared awake, though he kept his eyes closed. Sweat beaded his upper lips. His fists knotted the sheet. Thinking it best to give them all privacy, she left the men to take care of him.
She got her bag and collected the cooler and thermos for Miller. As they came through, Miller had the lead, Luke, his feet. Cohen and the doctor held the sides until Miller exited through the doorway.
Conner hefted his bag higher on his shoulder, taking up the rear.
Closing the door behind her, she stood still. Unease spread up her spine.
At the plane, the men loaded Lee abroad. Slowly, she joined them to hand Miller the cooler. Rough fingers brushed hers as he took the thermos. He stuck the container under his arm to free up a hand.
"You'll be all right?" He caressed her cheek and chin with a palm that had been roughened by hard work.
"Of course. I'm a big girl." She smiled. "Besides, you set the thingy for me."
"Eh, I did. Use the radio if you need me." He placed a kiss on her lips before joining Connor inside.
"Come on, sheila, need to give M room." Cohen urged her to back off while Miller got the plane into motion. The sun was coming up with only the barest pink, lavender and orange visible yet. It was beautiful.
Luke tipped his hat to her. "Hooroo."
"Bye, Luke."
The plane zipped away from them in take off.
Cohen and she stood quiet until the plane was out of sight, disappearing into the rising tide of morning sunlight. She worried her lip, hoping he had his sunglasses.
Miller's brother turned her way. "Hayleigh wanted you to have our number. She'd like for you to call her if you get the time."
"Thanks." What a great opportunity. She'd enjoy getting to know Miller's family. "I will."
He tipped his hat. "Careful driving, sheila."
"Thanks, you too." She watched as he ambled over to his truck.
Soon, she stood alone in the most open spot in the world. Unease again crawled with slow tentacles up her spine, along the fine hairs of her arms.
Something was off kilter. She made a full circle where she stood. God, help me. But, she didn't feel alone. And that terrified her. Made her think of things best left forgotten.
She exhaled, for composure. Lee's beating had shaken up her world. That was all the rising fear was. On trembling legs, she hurried to Connor's jeep.
The sooner she got to the clinic, the sooner she'd get to see Miller again. She wouldn't be alone then. Yes, she was looking forward to their flight back together. And getting to know Miller a little better.
Kaycee stood in the yard worrying her lip. Miller was up on Connor's second story roof working on a leak.
If only he'd come down from there soon.
"Get out of the bloody sun, Yank."
"Be careful up there."
Lee had already been settled inside Connor's home by the time she'd arrived. Miller had explained he planned to do a couple jobs for the doc before leaving. He'd replaced a lock and had climbed up onto the high roof about ten minutes ago.
"Yank, have you gone deaf?"
"I can hear fine." It was better to ignore his bossiness right now. She stared up at what of him she could see. "Are you almost done up there?"
"About done." What could he be doing? He wasn't even using a hammer. "I'll come in when I'm done."
Her heart continued to race. "I'll wait."
"Bloody fuck."
"Stop cursing at me." She pursed her lips.
"Fuck, Kaycee, it's hot as hell out here."
She listened to his moving up there before agreeing. "Yeah, it is." With a hand, she shielded her gaze, trying to see what he was doing. "What if you fall?"
"If I fall, I'm going to smash your pretty arse."
She smiled.
"Go on, luv." Tingles came alive low in her belly. "I'm not going to fucking fall."
"I know you won't." Still she waited near the ladder until he climbed down.
In one hand, Miller carried a bucket with several items. She recognized a scraper.
"All done?"
"Eh." He kissed her on the mouth. His lips were warm and deliciously gentle. He allowed her only a moment to cradle his face. "Now, go inside. I've got to put this away."
"I can help with the ladder."
Frowning, he pushed his hat back. "I can handle the bloody ladder."
"Humph." Knowing he could, she ignored him and helped anyway. Together, they hung the ladder up in a barn that doubled as a garage. Or it could be vice versa for all she could tell. The building seemed to hold everything a man might need. She waited while he put the rest of Connor's belongings away.
On the way back to the house, she held his hand. His rough fingers entwined with hers, squeezed from time to time as if playing.
Inside, he let her go. Already she missed his touch.
Connor's clinic was attached to his house. Most of the ground floor was used to see patients. Besides his kitchen, he lived upstairs. The setup reminded her of a doctor of days gone by. Though modern day technologies were available, the distance alone held much of the culture, the land suspended. It was magnificent. She gave silent thanks that she'd gotten to see this much of Australia.
"I'm going to check on Lee."
"Okay." After he disappeared, she sat to wait. She passed the time by slipping into the fantasy world of Angela Knight. She loved the Mageverse series.
When Miller returned, tension radiated from him. She shoved her book into her bag to stand. "Lee doing okay?" She rested her hand on his upper arm. "Are you all right?"
He gripped the rim of his hat in a tight fist.
She caressed the bunched up muscles underneath the shirt.
"Lee's a wreck. Doc thinks there may be real damage to his nuts." A tic beat in his clenched jaw.
"Oh, Miller." She winced, not being able to imagine the pain Lee had suffered. "I'm sorry Lee was hurt."
"It pisses me the fuck off that Aaron went after Lee like that." He gripped her shoulder. "Come on, I need to get home. Doc's going to call when Lee needs a lift."
"Sure, let me say goodbye."
"I'll be in the birdie."
Kaycee took only minutes speaking to Connor and stopping in the restroom.
In the air, tension radiated from Miller. There was no escaping his mood. Long minutes passed by without him saying a word to her. She hated it. Wanted to ease some of the strain he was experiencing.
The long drive out to Connor's had given her the time to clear her mind that she'd needed. It'd brought about the perspective she needed. Though she'd wanted to go slow and get to know as much as she could about Miller, she no longer felt strongly about that.
Bits and pieces about Miller had been falling into place since they'd met. He was a good man. Loyal. Caring. A hard worker. Most importantly, she trusted him. Cared about him.
The need she'd felt since yesterday to ease him, to soothe him, could be denied no longer.
Sex. Sex relieved tension. Arousal awakened low in her belly. Well, not sex. But maybe she could ease him. "Um, Miller?"
"Eh?" Blue eyes met hers.
"When was the last time that dirt clogged your engine?"
"Four, five years ago." He reached over and squeezed her hand. "Don't worry, luv. I'm not." She sighed. No he wasn't worried. In actuality she worried about it only a little. Miller was comfortable and capable in the pilot's chair.
Unlatching her seatbelt, she slowly shifted from her chair to his side.
"Wha..." His blue eyes darkened. "Yank, don't hit any of the instruments."
"I won't." Pulse beating wildly with nerves, she squeezed onto his lap.
One of his hands stayed on the controls, the other rested on her thigh. Teasingly, she nibbled on his neck just under his ear. With her free hand she undid several of the buttons on his shirt.
"Now's not a good time to fool around." His throat worked as he swallowed.
"I'm not fooling around." Breathless, she moaned in his ear. "I'm getting to know you better." Her teeth caught his earlobe and tugged.
"Oh, fuck." On a rough breath, his nostrils flared.
"Hmm." She shifted her hand down his chest to his hard cock. "I'm going to get to know you a lot better." Oh, yes, she wanted to know Miller better. His actions, his response to Lee's ordeal had told her a lot about him. He was a good, solid man. But she'd already known that. There'd be no more second-guessing herself on how they felt about one another. No more changes of heart. She knew how she felt about him. Had known for some time now.
There really was no need for them to hold off their physical relationship. Shamelessly, she wanted him. All of him.
"The instruments." He shuddered, sweat beaded his brow. His upper lip. "Watch the bloody instruments."
"I'm small, remember?" Carefully, she moved from his lap to the floor. Mindful of the danger her new position caused, she stayed very close to his big body. Between his legs, she worked to get his cock free from his pants.
"I'm not driving a bloody car here." Still, he lifted his hips to help get himself loose.
"Oh, yum." Adrenaline rushing in her veins too, she moaned.
"I'm going to come." The admission sent shockwaves of desire to her sex.
"Oh, not yet." Licking him, she used her tongue to bathe the rigid length. She used her lips to suck up the droplets of essence he released.
"Oh, fuck." His body tensed. "I'm going to come." His big cock hardened in warning.
Her breath caught. It excited her to watch his reactions. "Please not yet." Wickedly, she teased him. Soaking his cock with long wet licks. Greedily she used her lips to kiss and adore his throbbing muscle.
"Kaycee!" His cock grew harder against her exploring mouth.
"Oh..." She suckled the head, taking him into her mouth.
He groaned as his come burst out, his cock beat hotly as he climaxed.
She didn't leave him, instead she continued to suck. To her delight, his cock grew stiff at the lingering caresses of her lips and tongue.
Her own body danced with arousal at the groans and grunts he made. Her pussy drenched her panties. Her clit tingled. All the while she sucked, learning his likes and dislikes.
"I wish I could reach your balls." But she couldn't, she dared not move. So, she focused on his cock, or all of it she could reach.
"You're killing me." Miller trembled. The knuckles of the hand he gripped the armrest with were white. "Fucking killing me."
"Hmmm, yum." Her teeth nibbled gently along the thick muscle. "How many blowjobs do you think..." She screwed her mouth down around the head before coming up for air. She moaned, tonguing him. "I can give you before we get home?"
"Oh, bloody fuck." His big body shuddered as she engulfed as much of his cock as possible.
Walking along outside, Miller listened to his brother Cohen with a half an ear. He'd spent the last few hours in the office with Cohen. He hated the end of the month bookkeeping. Had no idea why Cohen tortured him with it. After all, his little brother had gone to university to be able to keep it all straight for them.
But this month had been far more torturous for him. Cohen had had to keep him on task. It'd gotten so bad his little brother had started ribbing him. Time and again his mind had strayed to what Kaycee had treated him to earlier in the day.
Oral sex in his birdie.
Oh, he knew other pilots who'd bragged over beers about how bloody creative they'd gotten when it came to sex in their birdies.
Not him.
This experience had been a first for him. And one of the bloody best.
But now, Kaycee had his attention. She was spraying the windshield of the truck off.
Getting closer to her, his blood rushed south. The damp shirt she wore hugged her breasts. Her naked breasts. If she wore a bra under that shirt, he'd kiss his own arse.
"Thought I'd wash the bugs off." The stream of water hit him full in the chest before the words left her lips.
Cohen snickered as he took several steps back.
"Oops, sorry about that." Her dimples flashed and her eyes sparkled with mischievousness.
"You don't look sorry." He stared. He'd not had someone play with him like this since he was young. Although Kaycee splashing him with water while they'd been up North quickly came to mind. And for her to be fooling around with him in front of his brother... Well, he bloody liked it. Liked the attention she gave him.
"Gotta agree with you, mate." Co pushed his hat back. "She doesn't look sorry."
Kaycee sprayed Miller with the water once more.
He took a step forward to have her retreat two steps. "Maybe I'm not sorry after all."
Unsure of what to make of her actions, his heart took to thundering.
The stream of water hit him in the face.
He growled and advanced.
On a squeal, she cut off the water. She shifted backward. "Now, remember I've got the weapon." Grinning, she again squeezed the handle, the stream soaking his chest.
Leaning over, he grabbed the hose to reel her in. Instead, she dropped the line.
It was his turn then. He bolted after her before she could make an escape.
"Miller!" she yelled, as he snatched her up. "That was so unfair."
His nostrils flared at the press of her breasts to his chest. The T-shirt she wore clearly showed the puckered nipples underneath. "You're not wearing a bra." His arms tightened around her to hold her closer.
"Of course not, or I'd have outrun you." Her breasts rose and fell with each of her breaths.
He snorted. Unable to deny the growing craving he had for her a moment longer, he claimed her mouth in a kiss. She didn't pull away. Her lips eagerly embraced his. Her tongue sought his in an intimate dance. His hard prick throbbed in growing need.
The kiss remained slow and deep until his head buzzed from the power of touching her again. Desperate to draw a breath of air, he lifted his head.
"Mate, I'll go check on the hands."
Kaycee ducked her head while he ignored his brother.
His fingers trembled when he forced her chin up so he could kiss her again. She moaned into his mouth. Arched her body into his. He cupped her arse in his hands. After what she'd put him through on the birdie, he didn't know if he could put off fucking her. He didn't want to. He wanted her in his bed.
"I..." She nibbled on his lower lip. "I...I want to have sex."
Have sex.
Bugger me.
He stilled, lifted his head to look down into the clouds that made up her gaze. "You sure about that, Yank?" She tried to break the eye contract, but he refused. He cradled the side of her head in his hand. "You want me to fuck you?"
"Yes." Her eyes closed.
His teeth clenched. What they'd shared was more than sex. He'd spent too many nights simply rooting to know the difference. Too many lonely nights. "If I fuck you...you won't find any pleasure in it."
Her eyelids slowly opened.
"I think you'd prefer if I make love to you. You'll want me to hold off coming until I'm crazy with the need to release." His balls drew up. Eh, she liked him sweaty and hot for it. "You want me to make sure you're taken care of first."
"Please..."
On that whispered breath, her fate was sealed. His mouth claimed hers once more. Only he wasn't gentle. He dominated her, working her up to a frenzy. His hands cupped her arse to pull her up his body. Her legs went around his hips. His heavy prick pressed into the cradle of her body.
He groaned and headed into the house. Her lips trailed along his jaw and chin. Her breathing burst in hot pants while her hands clutched at the muscles in his shoulders.
Need nearly buckled his knees when he finally got them inside. His heart pounded wildly. He tried to focus on Kaycee but it was difficult. He'd been wanting her back in his arms for what seemed like forever.
Now lust practically blinded him.
His blood hummed with excitement.
His mind buzzed in ravenous hunger to strip her clothes and fill her up.
At the kitchen table, he set her on the edge to kiss her. She kept him cradled between her thighs. His tongue delved deep, toyed with her teasing one. Groan after groan rumbled in his throat. He couldn't get enough of her sweetness.
Didn't want to.
Somehow she managed to undo the buttons of his shirt. Exploring hands stirred his lust into a fevered pitch. His hips rocked his prick along the apex of her legs. Her nails toyed with his nipples.
He shuddered at the thrill of the stimulation.
"Oh, Miller." Again her nails sparked his arousal.
A loud clank on the other end of the table brought his head up. His mum and aunt stood on the other side of the room.
Bugger me.
The bloody kitchen?
What had come over him?
Kaycee scrambled out from underneath his weight. "Oh... Oh... It wasn't..."
"It looked like my kitchen table was about to be defiled." Queer enough, there was no bite in his mum's tone.
Auntie simply stared, her eyes wide.
Not wanting to puzzle over his mum's response, he reached over and clasped Kaycee's hand. "Come on, luv."
In his bedroom, he closed the door behind them. He didn't allow Kaycee time to dwell on his mum's appearance before he pounced.
He removed his shirt. "Take your clothes off, luv." Quickly, he slipped his boots, socks and jeans off.
She wiggled her damp shorts down her hips and thighs. Her breasts caused his mouth to water. Christ, he adored her round breasts. Her hardened nipples begged for attention.
Seeing what had gained his attention, she rolled her nipples between two fingertips.
His balls tingled, his prick, standing straight out, pulsed.
"Get on the bed."
While she climbed onto the bed, he went into his office. While she'd sexually tormented him on the birdie, he'd concluded turn about was fair play. Her breasts had become the object of his obsession.
He collected a long nylon rope.
Heart hammering, he tried to catch his breath. Though he'd fantasized, he'd never done anything like this. What she'd done to him in the birdie... In his mind he'd wanted, needed something over the top. It'd come down to what he knew. Ropes. When it came to ropes he was a pro. Tying her up was something he could handle.
On the way back to her, he created two slip knots. Before joining her, he grabbed his knife so he'd be able to get her free fast if need be.
"Miller..." Gaze dark and wide, she shivered.
Seeing her there, his balls tightened in warning. His prick throbbed in need. In awe at seeing her naked in his bed, he whispered, "Sit up."
Not even hesitating, she did as he ordered.
Quietly, he slipped the rope behind her back. "Lie back."
Once she was flat on her back, he placed her breasts in the loops the slip knots created.
"Miller." She gasped as he tightened the rope.
"Sh... Just a little payback for the play on the birdie." It wasn't the truth. Truth was, he'd come if she started fondling him. He'd never been able to take the way she liked to touch him, explore his body. It'd been too long since he'd fucked her last. He'd not come until she begged him. "Pull your thighs back."
She whimpered as she drew her thighs up with her hands. Her slick pussy and arse were now bare to his gaze. The position left her open, vulnerable.
He looked at her. "You scared?"
"Yes." She laughed lightly, still holding on to her legs.
"I won't hurt you." No. Not ever. He adored her. Wanted nothing more than to show her how much.
"I know." With shaking hands, he used more slip knots on her wrists. Next, he tied her wrists to her ankles in position. This would leave her very little room for mobility. Every shift, every strain of a leg, each arch of her body would tighten the bonds around her breasts. That was his goal. He knew how sensitive those beauties were.
Completely vulnerable and exposed, she lay for him. He could do anything he wanted to her now. "Every time you struggle the ropes will tighten on your breasts." He twitched her right nipple and then her left.
Kaycee squirmed, testing the bonds. A gasp rushed through her lips as the rope tightened on her swelled breasts. "Oh..."
"Does it hurt?" A huge weight settled in his chest. He wanted only to please her. Wanted only to feel worthy of her attention.
"No. Not really." She moistened her lip. "I feel excited and scared."
"Don't be afraid." He shifted down the bed so he could get between her legs. His head lowered, his tongue ran up the seam of her pussy. Over and over, he slurped up her juices. Reveled in the fact he'd caused her arousal.
With gentle teeth, he nibbled on her swelled clit.
Every one of her whimpers settled in his solar plexus. She'd climbed into his bed. Allowed him to tie her up. She trusted him. A tenderness he couldn't control threatened to smoother him.
His tongue dove deep into her silken hole. Her muscles sucked at him. In and out, he thrust his tongue, gobbling up her cream as it flowed from her hot body.
Every one of her moans brought him closer to release.
Glutton, he ate her out until she screamed and thrashed in climax. At the tensing of her body, he used a thumb on her clit while he tongue-fucked her. Her inner muscles convulsed around his working tongue.
Breathing roughly, he lifted his head to see the bindings had tightened even more. They looked painful.
Miller shuddered, his prick heavy.
Her breasts had flushed. Her nipples stood straight up, fully extended.
Salivating, he rose up on his knees so he could tease her nipples.
She whimpered every time he used his tongue on the puckered flesh. He suckled one between his lips, and she screamed.
Immediately, he released her. "Does it hurt?"
"I think I'm going to die."
"I'll let you out." Heart racing, he reached for the knife to cut her loose.
"No. Oh, God, don't stop." She whimpered as the circles grew smaller around her swelled breasts. "I'm going to die. But don't stop." The mounds of flesh looked like they'd hurt, but unless she wanted him to stop... Wanting to give her nothing but pleasure, he went back to enjoying her dripping pussy.
The sounds she made tore through him, knotted his muscles.
Using great care, he didn't miss a drop of her cream as he bathed her slit, delved into her body. Teasing, he alternated from strumming her clit to working his tongue in and out of her clenching walls as deeply as possible.
Brutal need settled in his groin. Release hung there for his taking. He ignored the urgent need to come to focus completely on her pleasure. Her desires. Her needs.
On another cresting wave of pleasure, she cried in a hard climax. The slip knots strangled her breasts, causing deeper cries. Her body tensed and shook while he continued to suckle her clit.
"Take me, Miller!" Her cry caused his balls to draw up.
Looking up, he saw tears rolled down her face. Her mouth trembled as her body continued to convulse. Why did she cry?
He tried to clear his mind. To think. Her tears tore at him.
"Miller!"
Desperate for release, he pushed up on his knees and shoved himself into her caressing hole. She was wet and hot as her inner muscles gripped him fiercely.
Trembling set into his body. His mind numbed.
One, two, three fast thrusts, and he groaned. His body arched while his prick pulsed with streams of his come.
He whimpered at the feel of his still-hard prick. Her silken walls continued to clench around his buried muscle. He shook his head, tried to clear the heightened tide of lust. The pressure hadn't lessened at all. He stayed buried in her willing body.
Shaking, he reached out for the knife. He cut first one side of the restraints, then the other to release her. "Miller!" She screamed as blood began to flow normally in her breasts again.
His hips arched.
Tears flowed from the corners of her eyes.
"Don't cry." A sledgehammer settled over his heart, made it nearly impossible to breathe.
When he finally got the loops off her breasts, she set about massaging the tortured globes.
He leaned over to brace his weight on his forearm. Gently, he wiped the tears from her cheek. "I didn't mean to hurt you..."
"You didn't." Her arms went around his neck so she could kiss him. "You didn't. I've never felt anything like it." Her legs wrapped around his hips.
Still more tears pooled from her eyes, he could taste them in their kiss.
His already-constricted chest tightened. "Stop crying." He didn't know what was wrong. And the tears made it impossible for him to breathe.
"I missed you so much."
He grunted. "We've been together nearly..."
"I missed this." Her thighs clutched at his hips. "I missed you inside of me."
Christ, he'd missed fucking her too.
She shook with emotion that threatened to undo him.
Slowly, he rolled his hips. "Sh, luv."
"I love you, Miller." Her mouth caught his in another kiss.
A deep groan rumbled from his throat. Emily had told him she'd loved him. She hadn't. Denae had declared the same thing. But she'd cared for him no more than anyone would a mate. It couldn't be...
"I love you so much." Sweet lips teased his.
Miller shuddered. It's the afterglow of the climax. Nothing more. Don't even consider the possibility...
"Kaycee." He couldn't breathe. His chest hurt, his mind clouded.
He could only think of her words.
I love you.
I love you.
I love you.
Pleasure. He wanted only to bring her pleasure. So much pleasure she'd never want out of his bed. The facts of his harsh life were pushed aside. His arms held her closer while he clasped her head in his palms. He took control of the kiss.
In quick movements, he rolled them over and sat up so she wound up impaled on his throbbing prick.
Her head dropped back.
You're beautiful. So beautiful.
Moaning, she ground her pussy down on his buried length.
The sight of her swollen mouth, flushed face and breasts was the most erotic picture he'd ever seen.
Up and down, she rode his prick until his chest heaved as he fought back release. With his thumb, he worked her extended clit.
Panting, she shifted closer to kiss his shoulder and neck.
One-handed, he rocked her arse back and forth over him. Her body suddenly stiffened in climax. Her breath broke on a cry.
Grunting, Miller gave in and thrust up to join her in climax.
Kaycee lulled against him. "I love you." Warm breath rushed across his skin.
Trembling, he held her close. He lay back to rest her full weight on him. His prick stayed in place while tiny convulsions still clenched at her inner muscles.
Oh, Kaycee. Exhausted, he closed his eyes, tried to calm his heart rate.
It wasn't long before he noted her slow, even breathing telling him that she slept. Gently, he caressed the soft skin of her back until the lethargy claimed him too.
Miller came to slowly, recognizing Kaycee's weight still rested on him. He hadn't known it was possible to sleep joined as they were. But unfortunately, he also needed to take a piss.
His mouth compressed in concern. His prick was still inside her. Trying not to wake her, he eased them over so he could detangle himself from her body.
She whimpered in her sleep and rolled over to face the opposite side.
"Shh, luv." Alarm bells went off when he found no condom on his prick or on the bed. Mouth dry, he peeked down at her pussy. Could it have come off?
Christ, how had he fallen asleep like that?
Because dumbarse, you're not used to good things.
Heart hammering, he glanced over the side of the bed. Nothing was there. No condom. Worse, he didn't see a wrapper.
Oh, bugger me.
Bloody fuck, no.
He'd fucking used a condom. He had to have. He always used a condom. Not once in his past had he ever failed to use one. Not once. No way had he endangered Kaycee in such a way.
I love you, Miller
She trusted me.
Oh, fuck. His stomach pitched. He'd never lost control like that in his life.
Fuck no.
Fuck no.
Fuck no.
"Bugger me."
How could I have been so completely careless?
He rolled to sit on the edge of the bed. From over his shoulder, he saw that she still slept.
Christ, how do I tell her of my dumbarse move?
"Fuck." For a moment, he dropped his head into his sweaty hands. The possibility was slim he'd gotten her pregnant. Very slim. And he'd never lose control like that again. Not ever again. But he worried over how Kaycee'd take his slip in control.
They'd only just hooked up again. He didn't want any more distance between them. Not until she had to go back to America.
I love you, Miller.
Her declaration vibrated in his head. Nothing had ever affected him the way her words had. He didn't want to jeopardize that. But he had to tell her once she woke.
After he wiped the sweat from his hands, he went and took a leak before putting his jeans on. He covered Kaycee up with a sheet and headed into the kitchen. The day had slipped away while they'd slept. They needed to eat.
There was no way to ignore his mum who sat at the kitchen table doing crossword puzzles, but he tried.
He collected pieces of bread before going to the fridge where he took sliced meat, cheese and apples out.
"Well, Miller Eugene."
His back stiffened at the use of his middle name.
"I never thought I'd have to say this to you."
"Then don't." His lips thinned out.
"Women are meant for more than a man's sexual gratification."
Bloody hell. How many times had she said that to Ethan? To Cohen? "Mum." He didn't look at her. Instead, he made three sandwiches. And ate one while he stood there.
"We're not children."
"You'll need to do right by her."
His mum's words set Kaycee's echoing in his head. I love you, Miller.
"Fornicating in my home..."
"Mum, I didn't mean for you to..." He trailed off to start again. "I apologize for what you had to witness earlier."
This was the first time he and his mum hadn't seen eye-to-eye. Sometimes he forgot this wasn't his house. It wasn't his house, but it was his home. Several times since his dad's death he'd asked her if she wanted him to move out. To build his own home. Every time she'd said no. Been adamant about him staying on.
He cleaned the apples. Grabbed two water bottles from the refrigerator. Balancing the apples and sandwiches on a plate, he faced his mum. "But this is my home too. You have my word there won't be a repeat performance."
A sigh escaped his mum's compressed lips.
Without another word, he went back to his room. His breath caught at the sight of Kaycee still sleeping in his bed. His prick swelled, filling out the front of the jeans he wore. Half tempted to let her sleep, he set the food and drinks on the dresser before easing down on the bed.
Gently, he kissed her exposed shoulder and neck. "Luv."
"Hmm."
"I brought something to eat." His lips teased the delicate skin below her ear.
"Oh, I like when you do that."
Reluctant to kill the mood, he teased her neck and shoulders until his prick throbbed in need. Groaning, he pulled away. He couldn't fuck her before telling her what had happened. What he'd done. He cleared his throat. "I need to talk to you."
"What about?" She rolled over, her gray gaze curious. Immediately, her demeanor changed. Sitting up, she clutched the sheet to cover her breasts. "What's wrong?"
He got off the bed to walk to the window. This was one of those rare times in his life where he wished he could get a free pass out of something. He didn't want to tell Kaycee what he'd done.
Fuck.
Turning back, he watched her pulling on some jeans. She'd already put on a shirt. What the hell?
"I don't like how you're acting." She brushed her hair away from her face. "I didn't want to be naked if...if you break things off." She waved a hand. "I'm ready."
"What? Break what off?" He stalked to her side, causing her to back up.
"Look, I know you're probably upset about what I said..." She took another step away.
I love you, Miller.
"I'm impulsive most of the time." Her face flushed.
His teeth clenched. "Are you saying you didn't mean it?" The fact neither of them spoke the words didn't escape him.
"Oh, uh, no." Her gaze wouldn't meet his. "I meant it."
The sledgehammer was back over his heart. He could barely breathe. Was it possible she meant it? Emily hadn't. Denae hadn't.
No. It wasn't possible. It was bloody impossible.
Good things didn't happen to him. Life lessons since childhood had taught him that much.
"I just didn't mean to say it." Arms folded over her breasts she wandered over to the window where he'd been standing moments ago. "My mind was blown, thoroughly undone. What you did to me... I've never acted that way, never experienced anything like that." The flush deepened on her cheeks.
Eh, he'd tied her up and fucked her brainless. It'd been a first for him too. The experience ranked up there with her sucking him off in the birdie. His prick thickened once more. But there was no denying each time he'd fucked her had lingered in his mind. There was no getting enough of her. Every time was damn good. He swallowed.
"I thought I was going to die."
His balls drew up. He'd been pretty damn sure a heart attack was going to kill him.
"Anyway, I know this is just a casual thing until I leave."
Until I leave.
Bloody fuck. That was somewhere he didn't want to go. He raked a hand through his hair and joined her at the window.
"Anyway, being impulsive is my worst trait." Gray eyes locked on his. "You have any faults, Miller?"
Right off none came to mind. Though his brothers could probably list a string of them. But now he had a mistake to deal with. "Kaycee, I didn't use a condom."
Oh... Kaycee sat on the edge of the bed and crossed her legs. He hadn't used protection. Thankfully, pregnancy wasn't a worry now.
Surprised, her foot took to swinging. Miller hadn't used a condom.
He sat beside her, his legs braced wide apart. His hands dropped between his legs where he entwined his fingers together. "Did you hear me, luv?"
She should be upset. Really, really upset. But she wasn't. He hadn't used protection. She'd had the most beautiful sexual experience of her life. And now she was sure Miller had been right there with her. How completely out of character for him to lose control.
"Kaycee, I'm damn sorry."
Her head came up. "You said you were clean."
"Eh, I swear I'm clean." His throat worked. "That was the only time in my life I wasn't safe." He ran a hand through his hair and clasped his hands together. "I swear it won't happen again."
His arm went around her shoulders. His fingers caressed her arm. Her hand settled over her tummy. He hadn't used a condom. Still surprised, she whimpered. Miller had lost complete and utter control. The thought sent a thrill through her. Though she tried not to read anything into it, for a man like Miller to lose control she had to have affected him. What they'd been doing had affected him.
Earlier on the plane, he'd been close. She'd sucked him off three times before he'd ordered her to stop. She'd wanted to push him, but under the circumstances, she hadn't dared.
But today on the bed, she hadn't done anything other than enjoy the soul-consuming bliss he'd given her. She'd never been so wanton in her life.
"Look, Kaycee, if you're pregnant, I'll marry you."
Her breath caught. The thrill quickly faded. "No." She shook her head. "No, you won't, Miller." She lifted her chin.
"Yank." His teeth came together.
Agitated she stood. "I'm not going to marry anyone who doesn't love me, who isn't in love with me. There's no need. Back home, I can support two on the income my career would provide." Sure, it'd be tight. But her mom and sister would be there. She shrugged. "There's no need to talk about this. The timing wasn't right. I keep careful track of my cycles."
He followed her. Doubt shown on the lines of his face, in his gaze.
She collected her calendar from her bag to show him. "See, I had my period before we met." Her face flushed at the sight of Miller's name written on her calendar, showing the date they'd met. "Each month, a woman's body provides a tiny window to get pregnant." This hadn't been hers. It hadn't. With her index finger, she counted over from the first day of her period. "One, two, three." Her finger slowed when she hit "...ten, eleven, twelve, thirteen, fourteen." Oh, that can't be right. That was cutting it way close. Again, she started from the first day of her period.
Heart in her throat, she whispered, "fourteen." A woman's body ovulated ten to fourteen days after the first day she started her period. It was a tiny window in the scheme of things. The probability was very, very small. Especially after what she'd gone through with Doug. After losing Ginger. Besides, this was the fourteenth day. The tail end of the cycle. No real need to worry.
Miller grunted, looking over her shoulder. "Why is your hand trembling?"
Closing her calendar, she put it away. "Because a bear of a man is breathing down my neck."
"Is the fourteenth day good?" Sweat beaded Miller's brow. "Or not?"
"It's fine. I'm not pregnant." Of that, she was confident. "So no more worrying."
"Then why do you look like you're going to cry?"
Because if Ginger had been born, I'd never have met you. She caught her lower lip between her teeth.
He braced a hand on the wall near her head. "I wasn't shitting you. If you are...I'll marry you."
"Miller, be serious." She pushed on his chest for breathing room. They needed to get off this subject of marriage and babies. "I've wanted to talk to you since yesterday."
"Eh? I'm listening."
Collecting her bag, she sat on the bed and withdrew her journal. Miller joined her with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Since being fired." She speared him with a glare. "I've been doing the math."
He grunted.
"I think I can manage three, maybe five months on what I have saved before I have to go."
"You can stay as long as you want."
"No, I can't." She smiled. "I can't. I'm not moving in with you." She needed to find a real place to stay. Some rental somewhere. Maybe Connor would have a spare room...
He stood and wiped his hands on his jeans. "I bought Brady's property."
"Holy snap." Her mouth gaped for a moment. Why would he do something like that? She looked up at him. "You bought Brady's property?"
"The old man could use the money. The crew will be out of there tomorrow." Using the big knife he always kept handy, he peeled an apple and offered her slices. The apple was sweet and juicy. He took a piece and gave her another.
Again, the Native had surprised her. Don't read anything into it. But she couldn't help herself. Up north he'd spent money on her, on them. How could she not consider spending money his way of expressing his interest in her? His affections?
Quietly, he diced up the remaining apple, passing her a few more pieces.
"You're welcome to use it for as long as you want." He shrugged, setting the knife aside. "I'll offer it to Luke once you've gone back across the pond."
What a temptation he offered her. To be able to spend more time in Australia like she'd originally planned. And to have a private place to be with Miller. Still, it seemed so fast... "I don't know exactly what to say." His intense blue gaze burned into hers. "I don't like just using the house." But again, if it allowed her to stay longer...
Impulsively, she smiled. Why not take another risk? "Great. But, you'll have to take some kind of rent for it."
"I'm not taking your bloody money." A growl rumbled from his broad chest.
Frustrated, she stood to face him. Then she climbed on the bed to be at a better position to glare him down. "Well, you'd best figure something out because I'm not going to allow you to think I'm using you for your money."
Miller approached the bed. "I've gotten the impression you like to argue."
"I do not." She laughed, and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ran her hands on the warm skin of his back and beautiful shoulders. "Oh, this is nice. I get to look down at you for once." Delicious sensations stirred awake in her under her breasts. Delight shimmered across her skin. "We'll figure something out, won't we, Native?"
Abruptly, he grabbed her thighs and pulled her legs out from under her.
Squealing, she landed on the bed with him as a cover. With his arm wrapped around her, he shifted them both up along the bed.
His mouth was hot and dominating as it possessed hers. His tongue aggressively sought hers out. His lips roughly teased her. Her breasts swelled, aching to be caressed by the hair across his chest.
He was the one to break the embrace.
"Don't stop." She whimpered, arching her hips. "Make love to me."
"I need a condom." His chest heaved. "And you need the bloody jeans off."
"Oh." Panting, she removed her shirt, before wiggling her bottom out of her pants. He helped her get them down her thighs and off her feet.
Naked, she admired him as he removed his own jeans. At the dresser, he quickly peeled the second apple and sliced it up in the palm of his hand. He carried the bites and a condom back to bed.
Laying the apple on her stomach, he fed her a slice. Her tongue licked the juice from his fingertips. "Hmm."
A whole slice disappeared between his teeth. Shifting her feet, she encountered a string of rope he'd used on her earlier. Arousal stirred at the thought of what he'd done to her. How he'd made her breasts ache. How he'd made her scream and climax.
She moaned at the anticipation curling between her thighs. After what he'd done to her, she couldn't imagine there being any limits between them. "I..." She bit her lip.
Teasingly he angled another slice to her mouth. Once, twice she almost snapped a chunk from the piece of fruit. When he finally gave up the game, she took a bite. "You know you could do anything to me, don't you?"
His blue eyes darkened, his cock pressed into her thigh.
"Anything at all, Miller."
Miller woke and stretched out his body. He rolled over to his back. Christ, what a bloody fine night he'd had. It could have very well been the best of his life. Other than a dinner of grilled chicken and a shower, their night had been spent in bed. His bed.
The night left him thinking something very particular about Kaycee. She was submissive in bed. She'd allowed him to have his way with her over and over. The suspicion intrigued the fuck out of him. Her willingness had opened his mind up to fantasies. Fantasies he wanted her to be the star in.
Anything at all.
The Yank had meant it. He'd fucked her all night long without a single complaint from her. She'd been wet, hot and begging for it. And when he'd urged her to suck him off, she had.
Eyes closed, something else came to him. On his birdie. The question about marital sex. She'd said she'd want to keep her husband happy...
Anything at all.
Maybe his Yank wasn't submissive. Maybe she actually cared for him.
Still the best things of the night had been when she'd whispered she loved him. Though he doubted she even knew she admitted it. The declaration always came when she climaxed. It had to be the hot sex getting to her. It had to be.
Good things don't happen to me.
Eh, it'd been a bloody fine night. He'd best just take it at its worth and leave all this thinking alone.
His hand went to his prick to rub himself. The muscle ached from overuse but he didn't care.
The discovery of her accommodating nature led to a problem. One he never thought he'd face. As many whores as he'd had---in the end he'd had few real sexual relationships and even fewer emotionally engaging ones.
How the bloody hell did one keep a woman happy?
Christ knew he didn't know a bloody thing about happiness.
In sleep, Kaycee snuggled back against his body.
Balls already tight, he rolled over. He nuzzled her neck. "G'day luv." He settled his prick against her arse.
She whimpered, arching her hips back in offering.
Very much wanting to take her up on her offer, he closed his eyes. Worked to get a handle on his lust. If his prick was sore, her soft body had to be even more so. In his arms, Kaycee relaxed, her breathing shallow.
Reluctantly, he left her to climb from the bed. She needed more rest. While he needed food. Lots of it. After pissing and dressing, he made his way toward the kitchen.
The smell of beer stalled him in the living room. His sight adjusted to the darkened room. Slowly, he ambled across the room to let the waking sun into the room.
"I've never heard so much headboard slapping wall in my bloody life." His cousin Ace's words were as hoarse as slurred.
Bugger me. Miller scratched his chest. Ace had been gone for over two weeks. As a nature expert and guide, he took those that paid on walkabouts into the bush. His cousin had one hell of a homecoming this time. No doubt the mate had heard about Lee's beating and Travis leaving.
"Better get all you can now. She'll change her tune soon enough." Ace snickered. "They always do."
A time or two among the men, he'd heard similar comments. In the beginning, relationships were hot and heavy only to dull and fade away.
Maybe his cousin had a point. Maybe what he had with Kaycee was something passing. Eh, the prospect was a likely one. Still a good thing was a good thing, even if it was temporary. The Yank taking an overnight flight across the pond for home was only a matter of time.
Best to be realistic.
Ace tossed an empty bottle into the trashcan he'd dragged in from the kitchen. "Did you hear about my bloody brother?"
Wanting to feel Ace out for a reaction to Lee, Miller remained silent. He wanted to know where Ace stood without influencing him one way or another.
"Guess what?"
"You're drunk?"
"Nope. Not even close. I got home from the bush to learn..." He closed his eyes as if in pain. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Ace avoided his gaze when he finally pulled himself together. "My little brother is a manlover." His mouth twisted.
Miller folded his arms. Outside, the sun spread her arms to embrace the land. At least the old man had given his mum a nice view in the mornings.
Ace laughed. The sound lacked all amusement. "A bloody manlover." He opened another beer. "So, just what the fuck am I supposed to think about this...everything?"
Miller didn't turn around. Wasn't sure what to say. If it'd been his brothers, he'd have simply kicked their arses for any show of disloyalty to one another. That would have been it. But Ace wasn't his brother. And though they were closest in age, they'd never been tight. No. Ace had never seemed to care about anything. That'd never sit well with Miller.
You had to care about something. You had to believe in something. Or life wasn't worth shit.
The land, his mum, his brothers and their families kept him focused. Christ, he needed to call Ethan. He owed Ethan a long-overdue talk. He looked at Ace. His cousins and Auntie mattered in his life too. "If Lee was my brother I'd get over it." Real fucking fast.
"Dad said Lee was dead to us all."
"I'd never have guessed you for one to care what others said."
"He's my dad."
"Eh, Lee's too." Miller's teeth clenched, recalling what the old man had done. "No one would ever come after a brother of mine like that."
"I wasn't there."
"If you had been?"
"Lee wouldn't have gotten so busted up." Ace swallowed down half a bottle. "Bloody Christ, I'd have beaten Matt for bloody standing there." He downed the other half of the drink. "What the fuck was my little brother thinking? He's not going to have a life out here."
Nope. Lee was in for a bitch of a time. The old timers were never going to accept a manlover. Hell, few would accept Lee now. He sighed. This made things worse for his cousin. Lee belonged out here. He loved the land as much as Miller did.
"Miller?" Kaycee's voice drifted from down the hall.
"In here, Yank." He moved to meet her, blocking the view of her from his cousin.
His shirt engulfed her. She looked sleepy, her hair tangled down her back. "You left me." Gentle hands rested on his chest.
Eh, leaving her alone in bed showed he could be a fruit loop. "I needed breakfast."
"Want me to scramble some bum-nuts?" She treated him to her dimples.
"Eggs will hit the spot."
"Your mom home?"
"I'll let her know breakfast is on." He glanced over his shoulder. Ace had lain back on the couch. "We've got company."
"Oh, let me go get dressed then."
"Sure. I'll get the meal started."
Kaycee planted a quick kiss on his mouth. He watched her go before turning back to the living room.
"Remember, get all you can." Ace saluted him with a bottle.
Miller sat on Cohen's porch watching the evening slip by. Or trying to. The yard was filled with screaming ankle-biters.
Around him a celebration for Hayleigh's birthday was taking place. Everyone had shown for the beer-up. Eh, his family didn't pass by a beer-drinking party. The neighbors either.
Kaycee had shaken up his world. He'd completely forgotten about the gathering until his mum had reminded him. Kaycee had readily agreed to attend with him.
It was a kick having her at his side among family and friends.
From inside, he heard her laughter. His Yank seemed to be having a good time. Seeing Isabella upon their arrival had slowed his steps, but Kaycee hadn't acted bothered. Thank Christ, because he didn't want to see his Yank upset over nothing again.
"Mate." His little brother handed him a drink.
"Thanks."
Co took the chair next to him. "You've got yourself a beauty." Wearing a grin, he saluted Miller with his own beer.
"Eh, Kaycee's a beaut."
"Didn't believe it when T first sent her picture around."
Miller grunted. This was the first chance he'd had tonight to chew the fat with him. His brother had been busy handling the barbie. Figures Co would start right in on ribbing him about his Yank.
"You heard from E?" Cohen leaned back to stretch his legs out.
"Nope." E had been on his mind some. A time or two he'd recalled the last conversation he'd had with his brother. His brother's parting words. "Fuck it. I'm done."
"Look." Co released a long breath. "I've never been one to butt into anyone's business but E named his son after you."
"Eh, I'm bloody proud of the fact." Miller eyed him. His little brother had rarely confronted him. Cohen reminded him of their mum more now than ever before.
"You know the way you and E kept things from me?"
Miller looked away. They'd done what was best for Co. There'd been no reason Co had needed to know what an arsehole their father was. Either the old man had softened by the time Co came, or he knew Miller would never let him have a go at his baby brother, Miller couldn't say. But they'd all gone out of their way to make sure Co had the best.
"I felt like a bloody idiot for not knowing." Cohen's teeth clenched. "A bloody idiot. But I got over it. It's about time you did too."
"Eh." Having already come to that conclusion, he nodded. "I need to give him a call." And he would. Soon. He'd tried calling earlier only to leave a message with De. Ethan had been at work. But it was possible E honestly didn't want to hear from him again. He'd held on to his grudge a long time. He supposed he couldn't blame E if his brother was done with him.
Cohen stood. "Abbey!"
His oldest niece stopped in her tracks. "Yeah, Daddy?"
"Don't think I'm not watching you. Leave Jeremy alone."
"Okay, Daddy." Face pinched, Abbey ran up the porch steps and into the house.
Sighing, Cohen sat.
"I missed it. What was the hellion doing?"
Cohen laughed with a shake of his head. "Putting bugs down Jeremy's shirt. Had the little mate close to tears."
How his brother could tell the boy was upset, Miller couldn't say with all the noise the ankle-biters made. Christ, the girls only seemed to get to be bigger handfuls as they got older.
"M?"
"Eh?" His brother had turned serious.
"We've got a couple of slackers you've got to take care of." Co passed him a white slip of paper.
Miller grunted, already knowing what was expected of him. Co, his cousins and Luke hired station hands. He fired them if they didn't work out. Quickly, he read the two names on the paper. He didn't recognize either bloke's name. "I'll track them down." Dealing with seasonal workers was easier. They always knew when their time was up without being told. And nearly always showed back up next season.
For a long while they sat there listening to the children at play. Time and again, his nieces caught his regard. Besides their blue eyes they put him in mind of Hayleigh. His chest constricted. An ankle-biter of his own wouldn't be a bad thing at all. Especially if the baby had black hair.
Miller understood how a reproductive system worked. He worked around animals. Made his livelihood by birthing more calves and lambs. But how exactly a woman's body worked, he'd never studied. Still, he was no idiot. There was a slim chance Kaycee was pregnant.
"How easily did Hayleigh get pregnant?"
Cohen coughed on his beer. "Are you asking a personal question?"
"Just bloody answer it."
"Well, to hear the missus tell it, I look at her and she gets pregnant."
He grunted.
"Why you asking?" Co looked at him curiously.
The screen door opened and closed, ending a discussion he should have never started. Kaycee stood there alongside Darel Moore.
The man was standing too close to his Yank. With effort he stayed in his chair.
"Hey." Kaycee leaned over and kissed him on the mouth. "Darel has a property I might be interested in renting for the rest of my stay. I'll be back in a few."
Darel nodded to him and Cohen before following Kaycee down the steps.
His teeth clenched, a tic popping to life in his jaw. He couldn't take his gaze from them. Darel was a fine bloke. A bloody fine bloke.
I'm marrying John Ashlan. He's a man who can give me everything I want.
Hell, my own brother unwittingly stole De. What's to say Darel won't steal Kaycee? After all, Darel wouldn't come with a shitload of baggage. While he'd been dealing with baggage since he was able to piss alone.
Unease tightened the muscles along his shoulders.
"Bloody excellent." Cohen snickered. "Wish I had my phone on me. T would get off on how pissed you look right now."
Ignoring his brother's amusement, Miller watched as his Yank climbed into Darel's truck. A property for her to rent? What the hell had gotten into her? He'd thought they'd had everything worked out. She'd stay with him until she had to leave.
Bloody fuck.
His gaze narrowed on the disappearing taillights.
"This is better than the telly." Cohen's laughter grated on his nerves.
Miller flipped him off.
Pulling himself together, his brother stood. "But I've got to check on my girl. Abbey will pout all night if I don't."
At the slam of the door, he closed his eyes. Why had the bloke been invited over? He'd liked the arrangements Kaycee and he'd been living with just fine.
Kaycee's breath caught as she approached the porch. Miller still sat where she'd left him, only now he held Lily on his lap. The little girl slept in his arms.
The sight tugged at her heart. For a big man, he looked so gentle holding her. "Hey. I'm back."
Darel tipped his hat before he went on inside ahead of her.
"Get your business taken care of?"
"Yes." Her smile wasn't returned, causing her confidence to slip a notch. No. She raised her chin. The decision to rent a house on her own had been the right one. To stay with Miller would just make things harder for her later on. She'd fallen in love with the Native. She loved him. Had probably loved him since he first said "G'day" to her on the flight from Sydney. It was the nuttiest thing ever.
Love at first sight. Too bad her feelings weren't returned. He might want to have sex with her... He might care about her. But he didn't love her back. He wasn't crazy in love with her.
The independence of her own place would allow him to come and go freely. And, if he wasn't interested in her at all, well, this way he had an easy out.
Sighing, she took the stairs up to stop before him. She picked up Lily's small foot and rubbed the top before letting it go. "Did she show you I painted her toenails?"
"Eh, said she painted yours too."
"Yep, she did." She smiled. "She must've been exhausted."
"I bounced her on my leg until she fell asleep."
"Aww, you're a great uncle." She sat beside him.
"They're nuisances more times than not."
Kaycee laughed easily and leaned into his side. He'd pretty much said the same thing about the station dogs. But she'd seen him pet and play with the lot of them. Miller was a big bear. A gentle teddy.
"You know, renting a property wasn't necessary." He didn't turn her way, instead seemed to focus on those in the yard.
"I did it for me." She hugged his free arm.
He made a noncommittal noise.
"And I did it for you."
His rugged jaw clenched.
She sighed, and looked away. Communicating would be easier if he'd say what was on his mind.
"This way you'll have no pressure to continue our casual relationship." Pain erupted under her breast. Casual wasn't how she felt. She relaxed her hold on him. Wanting him to feel more for her wouldn't change the way things were.
"Kaycee..." Her name in his accent sent her nerve endings skittering. She held her breath. Instead of saying more, he stood, hefting Lily in his arms. "I've got to get her inside."
"Oh, of course." Hurrying over, she held the door for him to go through. She went in search of dessert. She watched his retreating back as he headed upstairs. Once he disappeared she turned toward the kitchen.
She wouldn't mope. Renting a place of her own had been a good plan. Had been her plan before she'd even arrived in Australia. This show of independence was important to her.
In the kitchen, she collected a slice of pie. Relieved, she smiled when Miller joined her again. She offered him a bite, and he took it. So, she offered him another. The act of feeding him was a favorite one of hers. It was as fun as it was sexy.
"You want some more?" She balanced the empty plate on her palm.
"Nope. I had more than my share earlier."
"Then why did you eat mine?" She laughed.
"Because you were feeding me."
Heat scorched her skin, arousal swirled in her belly.
"You ready to get out of here?"
"Oh, sure." She set the plate and spoon in the sink. "Is your mom ready?" Maree had ridden into town with them earlier.
"She's staying over a couple days to help Hayleigh with the girls."
Kaycee surveyed the mess. "Should we help clean up?" Guilt niggled her conscience. Hayleigh and Cohen had had a big turnout. She hated eating and running.
"Others will pitch in." Miller took her hand. "Come on, luv." He took the choice from her.
As they passed Miller's cousin Sly, she waved goodbye. She smiled when he tipped his hat. The drover was a very shy man.
Outside as they approached the vehicles, a man broke away from a group. The man stopped a couple feet in front of them. A frown pulled at her mouth. The newcomer looked a great deal like Lee.
"So, you finally talked Travis into leaving." The man's voice was tight. "You had no right to send him off to get his arse blown up."
Miller let go of her hand. "Your son left of his own free will." Using the flat of his hand, he urged her to step out of the way.
Murmurs erupted as the men got everyone in the proximity's attention. Not sure what was going on, she looked around in worry.
"Bullshit. You've drummed joining the military into his head." The man, who had to be a relation, got into Miller's face. She thought she'd met all of his family in attendance, but she guessed not.
Miller didn't flinch. "Travis is a man full grown."
"Hey." Cohen rushed up to get between them. "This is not happening at the missus's party."
"No, it's not." Miller took her hand in his rough palm. His thumb rubbed back and forth.
"Matt?" Cohen eyed the other man. Matt, now that name she knew. Lee's twin brother.
"Sure." Matt raised his hands. "Sure, but maybe someone should warm M's sheila what will happen if things don't work out for her and the boss? Poor Emily is still paying for leaving him."
The murmuring grew louder.
Miller let her go to advance on his cousin.
Kaycee's breath caught. Matt was out to start an argument. But still, she wanted to know who Emily was.
"Not here, M." Cohen moved faster. "Remember it's Hayleigh's birthday."
"Eh, I remember." Miller reached for her once more. "Come on luv, let's get out of here."
She looked back to see Matt staring furiously at Miller. She sighed.
Inside the truck, she tried to relax. But tension radiated from Miller.
Miller brooded for a half hour without saying anything. Instinctively, though now she looked half asleep, he knew Kaycee wanted to talk about what had happened. He didn't know what to say. Or how to say it. Bloody fuck. He should've smashed Matt's cakehole in.
Matt should've never brought Emily up. He understood his cousin was angry about several things. Travis leaving. Lee's lifestyle. Hell, probably even felt shitty about not standing up for his own brother. But Miller's past should've never been brought up. Especially not in front of Kaycee and out of context.
I'm marrying John Ashlan. He's a man who can give me everything I want. Christ, he'd thought he'd loved her, he'd had no clue she'd been rooting with John too.
The old anger knotted in his guts.
Only since meeting Kaycee had he been remembering Emily's final words.
In the glow of the dashboard lights, he studied Kaycee. Eh, he'd thought he'd loved Emily. He hadn't. Not really.
Kaycee was so easygoing. Lighthearted. A direct opposite from him. Ten to one, if he didn't say anything, she'd let him blow it off. Something about Kaycee stirred up insecurities he'd worked his arse off to keep buried. Christ knew the Yank was too good for him.
Only he didn't want her to be hurt if he didn't explain Matt's idiocy. What he'd done had been best for the station. When Emily's marriage to Ashlan had failed he'd been put in the position to buy their land. And he had. It'd been a good business decision though apparently not everyone saw it as one. He hated the idea of old memories coming between them.
"Matt's shitty about Travis joining the military."
"Hmm, I gathered that." She straightened up, brushed her hair back. "Matt must have had Travis young."
"Eh, he was fourteen when he got Kiara pregnant."
"God, that was young."
"Eh, Kiara was sixteen. After T was born, she ran off." He shook his head. "Everyone stepped up to help Matt out with T."
"He was lucky to have a family to support him." She scooted over to his side. Her head rested on his shoulder. Lust heated his blood. Swelled his prick. Yet something stronger constricted his chest. Something that never failed to make him feel good, as if he was worthy of her attention. He'd have tried talking to her sooner had he known it'd have gotten her to his side of the seat. "Travis ever see his mother?"
"Nope." Travis had never mentioned Kiara Fields to him. Not once.
She sighed. "That's too bad."
"Eh, a real bitch." He cleared his throat. "About Emily."
Kaycee lifted her head expectantly.
"We were both young." Sweat beaded his palms. "What Matt said." Fuck, he didn't want to talk about the past. It had no place in his life today. "It's bullshit." When Emily's marriage had collapsed a decade ago somehow his name had come up as at fault. "It's bullshit."
"I know." She shifted to sit on her foot and run an arm around his shoulders.
"Emily and I were young..." Christ, he didn't want to admit how crazy stupid he'd been about her. How much her betrayal had stung his young pride.
"You don't have to talk about Emily." A warm kiss was pressed to the side of his face. "I trust you, Miller. I know your cousin was speaking out of anger."
He grunted. That was a bloody fact. Matt had been pissed and had sought to take some of his aggression out on him. Had it not been for Hayleigh's birthday, he might have gotten into it with the mate.
"Well, know if you ever do want to talk, I'm here." She kissed him again, before resting her head back down.
Bugger me. She didn't want to let it go. "If you want to know something specific, just ask. I'll answer." His problem was he didn't know how to chew the fat just to be talking. What bloody details did you tell a woman about another?
"Okay, seems fair." As she moved, her breath brushed his ear. "And if there's anything you want to know about my past, just ask."
Kaycee with other men... His breathing accelerated. Now, he didn't want to go there. He was no fool. Kaycee had a past. She was too damn pretty not to have a past. But the thought of her with another knotted his guts up.
Jealously was a rare state for him. Eh, it was best to leave their pasts out of the present. Already he knew the men in her past were idiots. Otherwise, she wouldn't be alone now.
She twisted closer into his side. The arm around his shoulders rubbed along his muscles. Her other hand drifted down his chest to slip under his shirt. "I trust you. That means the world to me."
Trust meant a lot to him too. Loyalty. Fidelity. He didn't think the two traits were too much to ask. But Emily had taught him a life lesson. So had Denae, along with his brother.
Nails raked over a flat nipple.
He shifted as his pants grew uncomfortable.
Her laugh was easy and seductive. "I love your chest. How responsive you are to my caresses."
"I've noticed." The way she touched him made him crazy. No one had ever heated his blood the way she did. But it wasn't a one-way street---to touch her set him on fire too.
Another swipe of her long fingernails caused his balls to tingle. He swallowed. "Luv, unless you want me to pull over..."
"Oh, really?" Eagerly, she moved her delectable body so she could nibble on his ear. "Here in the middle of nowhere?" A tongue teased, lingered only a moment before her lips nuzzled his ear. "Want to know what I love most of all?"
A shudder racked his body. "What's that?"
"I love that space, right where your hips dent in..." her hand ran down along his chest to his belt buckle. His hard prick pulsed for freedom, "...and that long stretch of skin from your belly button downward." She ended on a panted breath.
Oh fuck. She had him feeling like a youth unable to take more. Growling, he pulled the truck off the road and killed the engine. With a hand, she turned his face her way. The kiss was gentle and quick. "Help me get your pants undone." Quick fingers reached for his fly.
Eyes closing, he groaned.
Good things like this didn't happen to him. He'd hang on to Kaycee as long as she let him.
The phone woke her along with Miller's low rumble of reply. Opening her eyes, she came aware to a still-darkened room.
After he hung up, he rolled back over and took her in his full embrace. His broad chest warmed her back. The rough hair along his legs tickled hers. Muscular arms protected her.
"Was it important?" It had to be. Who calls in the middle of the night without an emergency?
"I've got to leave at first light. There's a bad fire to our south."
"Oh, no." Heart in her throat, she clasped his arms on a deep exhale. A wildfire. It seemed every year in the States, California burned. To have Miller go into something like that terrified her to no end.
"Kaycee?" He nuzzled her neck, his thickening cock pressed into her behind. "Don't worry. I'll be gone as I'm needed and be back as soon as I can."
"Is that a promise?" Almost panicked, she tried to turn around. But he didn't loosen his hold.
"Eh, it is." His lips teased her skin. "Relax for me."
A delicious shiver raced down her spine at the feel of his wet mouth on her shoulder. An appetite for him surfaced, heating her skin. Swelling her breast. With a moan of willingness, she arched her hips to press into his rigid length.
He grunted. His mouth and sweeping tongue incited desire. His massaging hands on her breasts goaded the flourishing climax. In the wake of the nip of his teeth on her skin, adoring lips soothed. Rough fingers tweaked and teased her aching nipples.
Her senses overloaded at his sexual ambush. He taunted and teased her hips, stomach with his hands. He rubbed his hard cock between the cheeks of her bottom and had her floundering on the brink of orgasm.
Enthralled with the desire he harnessed, she bit back a scream. She was that close to begging. But still, the sweetness of the building passion kept her panting.
To come. Or not come.
Big hands squeezed her breasts, molded them to their liking.
To come. Or not come.
His hot cock did a bump and grind against her backside.
"Miller!"
Instead of offering her relief, he continued to build the flames of arousal. Wetness pooled between her thighs. The swollen outer lips of her pussy tightened further along with her clit.
She wanted nothing more than to be taken and ravaged at his will. She tried to move one of his hands toward the apex between her thighs but he wouldn't budge.
Kaycee whimpered, thrust her hips back into his big cock.
Excitement grew with each rush of his rapid breath.
Abruptly, he eased away from her for the briefest second. She knew what that meant. Protection. Her heated skin wasn't even given time to cool before he was back. Only he rolled her onto her stomach.
Pleasure intensified in her center when her hips were arched up, leaving her so open, so vulnerable.
Apparently done teasing, Miller pushed his big muscle into her needy body. She trembled and arched up more in offering.
Buried fully, he grunted.
She whimpered.
He was so big.
So hard.
And so deep.
What he did to her felt incredibly good.
Immediately, his thrusts turned savage. The roll of his swiveling hips was ruthless.
Kaycee choked as her breath was driven from her quaking body. Still, she wanted Miller to take her faster. Deeper.
The frenzied pumping of his cock sent her closer to the abyss. His harsh breath electrified her skin as he dropped down onto his palms. He now rested just over her body with his big cock pounding into her. "Miller!" A cry caught in her throat. Pulses of pleasure flowed outward, and she tensed in climax.
So delicious.
So fine.
So addicting.
Oh yes... The orgasm went on and on, clamping around his throbbing muscle.
Miller came on a long groan. His bucking hips and arched body sent final shockwaves of delight through her sex.
Exhausted, she collapsed where she was. Her thighs ached. While her pussy had numbed from the workout.
He eased off her to settle down on his back. "Come here, luv." His hand on her shoulder encouraged her to move her sated body.
"Hmm." She rested her head on him, placing a hand over his drumming heart. She rubbed a single leg over his.
Still breathing hard, he kissed her forehead.
"I love you."
On a groan, his arm tightened around her to hold her closer.
"I love you." Though he didn't acknowledge her words, she embraced the fact when she told him of her feelings and he didn't turn away from her. He held her closer. "Please, be careful."
"Shh, I know what I'm doing."
Oh, Miller. People died every single day doing what they knew best. Doing what they loved to do. "Will you call me?"
"I can't promise I will, but if I can."
She nodded against his warm skin and planted a kiss on his shoulder. "I'll be at Mr. Moore's when you get back."
"I know it."
"You do?" She lifted her head.
"Eh, I can find anything from the sky."
Of course, he could locate anything from his plane.
His fingers ran over her skin, arousing as much as they soothed. "I'll check there first."
"Don't leave without telling me goodbye."
"I won't." Another kiss brushed across her head. "I won't."
"Remember, no more pretending to be a superhero." Connor walked the little boy and mother to the door.
With a twinkle in his green gaze, the boy grinned.
Kaycee sat listening to Connor tell his young patient goodbye. The doctor had a great bedside manner. He obviously cared for those he treated.
"No more skydiving from trees." Connor clasped the boy's shoulder. "Sometimes little boys get so hurt doctors can't repair them." He held the door open for them and followed them outside.
The little guy had fractured his left arm. Connor's clinic came surprisingly equipped with an x-ray and an ultrasound machine. Good thing, too, because the hospital was over two hours away.
No wonder so many people used airplanes like automobiles. Flying sure beat driving on travel time.
After meeting two more of the neighbors she'd be frequenting with house calls, she'd driven out to Connor's for a visit. She discovered he had a full-time nurse who'd been thinking about retirement in another year or two.
"Want some tea or coffee?" Connor returned.
"Tea would be great."
"Follow me then."
In the kitchen, she sat at the table while Connor served up two glasses of iced tea. Curiously, she noted his gaze lingered on Lee, who rested out on the back porch. "He must still hurt terribly." She hadn't asked Miller for details.
"Yes, though he's not admitting it," Connor nodded. "He's one of the worst patients I've ever had to deal with."
"I can't imagine." She grinned. "A Thorn as a bad patient."
Her smile was returned before he stood. "Excuse me a minute while I see if he needs a drink."
"Oh, of course."
Connor carried out a cold glass of water onto the screened-in porch. Lee took the offering as her phone rang. Hurriedly, she dug into her bag.
Keep ringing.
Please be Miller.
Keep ringing.
Please be Miller.
Finally, she accepted the call. "Hello."
"G'day. Am I speaking with Kaycee?"
"Yes." She frowned over the Australian accent that didn't belong to Miller.
"Ethan Thorn at this end. Mum told me Miller's in the bush fighting a fire. She gave me your number."
"Oh, Maree." The frown grew to tighten her face. Why had Maree given Ethan her number?
"My brother mentioned I'm a rescue officer over on the coast?" It sounded like he took a drink. "I've got some information I wanted to leave with one of you."
"Oh, of course."
Miller hadn't mentioned his brother's career. Though Maree had. There was little the woman didn't talk about. "Miller sent me a piece of equipment to check out."
"The whatchamacallit in my boot?" Had Miller said he was sending it off to be checked out? She couldn't recall.
"That's right. It's a passive GPS tracking device. The antenna was part of the design. Really nice work."
"Huh?" Wasn't what Miller had in his truck some type of global system? Her head began to ache. "What's it used for?"
"Common uses for tracking units are teens and wayward spouses someone wants to keep track of." He took a breath. "The passive unit found on you has a useful battery time of about a week."
"I don't understand." Swallowing, she attempted to moisten her suddenly dry mouth. She didn't understand what this was all about. "I've only been in your country a week or two. Why would I have this on me? Who'd have put it there?" The only person who'd ever meant her harm was dead. "Could it have been meant for Miller?" Could he have enemies?
Matt's tirade echoed in her mind. Maybe someone should warm M's sheila what will happen if things don't work out for her and the boss? Poor Emily is still paying for leaving him.
"Listen, I don't think this was meant for my brother."
Nervously, she caught her lower lip between her teeth. Now she was being silly. Miller would never do something like this. Otherwise, why involve his brother?
"First, you need to retrace your steps." His voice was patient and calm. "Was there any time your belongings were out of your sight?"
This was crazy. She'd barely gotten settled into this country. Arriving in Australia came to mind. Particularly the hotel in Alice Springs. They'd left her belongings there while they'd traveled. "Yes. While we were in Alice, there was an opportunity."
"Any idea who'd want to tail you? Ex lover? Disgruntled co-worker? Anyone?"
Poor Emily is still paying for leaving him.
Kaycee's fingers trembled. She'd gone from having an affair with a man to living with him. Hotels. He'd invited her to stay in his home. He'd bought Brady's home...
No. Miller was a good man.
Nothing like Doug had been.
Nothing.
"The only person I can think of is dead." People did not come back from the grave.
Ethan was silent.
"What do I do now?" Fear slithered across her heart. Oh, God. It'd been a long time since she'd felt so shaken.
"Listen---up front, this is not my field of expertise. But don't panic."
"Okay, seems easy enough."
Don't panic.
Don't panic.
Don't panic.
This was not the first time the words had echoed in her head. They had gotten her through more than one experience with Doug.
"If you do have someone following you... A stalker uses nothing more than fright tactics. Stalkers go after people they can control."
Oh, God. How well she knew this. Doug had controlled her. Anxiety sent her heart to slam under her breast. Her world tilted on its axis.
No.
Never again would someone control her.
"I'm going to have a friend check some things out. And do a background check on you to see what I can turn up."
"Oh." Miller's brother would learn of what she'd done. What she'd had to do. Her fingers trembled. As much as she wanted to be open and honest with Miller about everything, she feared how he'd react once he found out about Doug.
Would he be like the others who'd turned their backs on her? How completely shattered she'd been back then. And then to have their loathing directed at her...
Though Miller and she had clicked from the beginning, she just didn't know... Not knowing tore at her heart. He'd made it clear things were casual between them. She couldn't just blurt out that in self defense she'd killed a man.
Her hands trembled as growing panic rushed her ears.
Quickly, she dumped her bag out and shuffled her items around. She set about performing an exercise her therapist had taught her. If things ever felt like they were slipping out of her grasp, she was to supplement something she did have complete control over. Carefully, she rearranged her items and started restoring them in her bag.
"I'll get back to you as soon as I have something."
"Okay. Thank you. I appreciate the help."
"No worries. Hooroo." He disconnected the call.
"You all right, Kaycee?" Connor stood at the sink with a glass in hand.
She put the phone back in her bag and looked the doctor right in the eye. "Yeah."
His smile was kind, as if soothing a child.
Hurrying, she finished restoring her belongings.
"You want to talk about the call?"
It was a tempting offer. To talk about it. But no. There was no one out there who meant her harm. Doug was dead. Miller would either accept her past or he wouldn't.
For peace of mind, she'd put Ethan's call out of her thoughts until she heard from him again. If she heard from him again. "Thank you. But I'm fine now."
"All right then. But I'm here if you ever need an ear."
"Thank you." She'd remember that.
"I reviewed the medical file you brought while you were on the phone." He finished off his tea before he set the glass in the sink. "You still interested in the birth control we discussed earlier?"
"Yes." Though she had wanted to get to know Connor better since they'd be working together, birth control was the reason that had brought her to the clinic. She stood.
If she was going to be in the Land of Oz for a few months there was no need for Miller to always be responsible for birth control. The thought of him losing complete control again excited her. And took her mind off Ethan's call.
The phone rang, jarring her from a doze. She snatched it up. "Hello."
"G'day, luv."
She moaned. Miller sounded tired. "I'm glad you called me." With the sun about to set, she'd given up on hearing from him today. The long hours had been spent worrying about him. Even while she'd gotten settled into her new home, her mind had been on him.
"You out at Moore's?"
"Yes."
"I'll be landing there in an hour."
She squealed. "Holy snap. Why didn't you call me earlier to warn me?"
His chuckle excited her more. "Maybe I should've waited until you could hear the sound of my engine."
"Miller! I need time to shower and shave my legs."
Another low laugh tickled her. How she'd missed him. He'd only been gone two nights and nearly three full days. But it seemed like forever.
"Where are you at now?"
"Fueling up."
"Hurry, okay?" Then remembering she talked to a pilot, she added, "No. Just be careful. I've got to go make myself pretty."
"You don't have to doll up." His voice was rough, the accent keen. "You're a beauty, luv."
Happily, she sighed. "Thank you. I've missed you so much." She blew him a kiss. "I'll see you soon."
"You bet." He disconnected the call.
By the time she heard the plane approach, she was on cloud nine. Dying to get her hands on him. Outside, she clasped her hands in prayer, all the while watching as the plane arrived. The old road stood in for a landing strip. While he pulled off out of the way of any traffic, she got moving. "Hey." She waved.
Happiness and nervousness danced in her stomach. Warred in her heart. She couldn't remember feeling quite like this. She was so glad he was back. But would he be equally glad to be back? To be with her?
"G'day." A sexy half smile caused her legs to wobble. Miller should smile more often.
He was quick about tying the plane down so it wouldn't blow away. No sooner did he straighten up than she threw herself into his arms. "I missed you." The kiss she gave lingered until he groaned.
"You too." He stood tall, though he looked tired. His face was covered in days and more of hair. "You too."
"I'm so glad you feel that way."
With a rough hand, he cupped her cheek. "I missed you something fierce."
The admission curled her toes.
"Are you all right?" She grasped onto his hand. "I know it must have been awful."
"No worries about me, luv." His fingers squeezed hers. "Fires are always a real bitch."
Kaycee snuggled under his arm as they walked into her house. After a quick tour of the house, he dropped his bag in the bedroom. "I need a shower and shave."
"How about I run you a bath so I can bathe you?"
As tired as the lines on his face appeared, his blue eyes darkened. "Eh, I don't know a man who'd turn that offer down."
"Good." She pointed to the end of the bed. "Sit down and take those boots off."
Not waiting for him to comply, she set about getting the water ready.
Naked, he joined her in the bathroom. First she washed his hair. He was quiet, allowing her to wash his upper body with a soapy rag. She admired the muscled mass that made up his body. She sighed over how defined the beautifully cut lines were.
Knowing he was tired, she didn't play or tease like she wanted. Instead, she cleaned his broad chest, shoulders and neck before taking care of his arms and belly. Lovingly she bathed him. Enjoyed the rippled muscles as she went along.
"I wish I had your eyelashes." His had always made her envious. She'd noted that Cohen had the same gorgeous eyes.
Miller grunted, earning a kiss from her.
"Lean up, Native."
She expelled a long sigh while she scrubbed his back. The man had the most appealing shoulders ever. Broad. Powerful. Her lips explored his shoulder blade. "Stand up so I can finish."
When he managed to get on his feet, his cock jutted out proudly. She moistened her lips, ignored his need. That muscle she'd save for last. With eager hands, she washed his strong legs and firm butt.
His teeth clenched at the passes she made to clean his cock and balls. She didn't stop there, she washed between the cheeks of his butt, earning grunts.
"Let me dry you."
After using the towel on his damp hair and body, she led him into the bedroom.
Of her own free will, she knelt on the floor before him.
"I'm not going to last." He groaned, rubbing his thick muscle along the side of her face.
"I don't expect you to." With wet lips, she kissed the head where pre-come dewed.
"Suck me." His chest heaved. His prick stood out for her attention.
Kaycee's moan was throaty. Scooting ever so closer, she nuzzled his thighs, his hips. "I want to so badly." Yes, she wanted to bring him heightened pleasure.
His prick twitched.
Trembling, he braced a hand on the nearby wall. "Do it."
She stopped pressing kisses to his body to take as much of his length as she could into her mouth. Her lips slid back and forth over a few inches.
Arousal stirred low in her belly.
A whimper caught in her throat. How badly she wanted to force herself to take more of his big cock. All of him. But she couldn't. And he never pressured her strokes to deepen. She'd gotten better at sucking him off but she was no pro.
How wanton to enjoy learning as she went down on his cock.
Breaking contact with his cock, she nuzzled his balls. Her hands massaged the tense muscles in his thighs. He groaned and grunted every so often. The sounds he made delighted her.
On a low growl that vibrated down her spine, he spread his legs wider. Most likely he locked his knees against the onslaught of need she worked to create. Eyes closed, she kissed and licked his cock and hips.
Once more she lowered her mouth to nuzzle his sac. The coarse hair tickled her skin. His masculine scent drove her on. She loved his smell. His taste. The sounds of arousal he made with each pass of her lips. "Hm, I like the feel of your balls on my lips." Her mouth lingered over one side of his balls before exploring the other. "They're so tight and full."
His chest heaved.
Gently, her nose and mouth moved farther back under the sac. Her tongue swiped across the backside of his heavy balls. Still, she shifted even lower to twist around until she felt her tongue at his back hole.
"Kaycee!" He roared.
Feeling naughty, she didn't let up. She licked and kissed his backside. Arousal swirled deep as she explored him. Moaning, she nuzzled, wanting to explore every inch. Her tongue pressed against his clenched hole.
"Bloody fuck, luv, you're asking for it."
"Oh..." Again, her tongue sought to enter his body. "Hmm."
"Leave off, Yank." His big body trembled.
"Please, let me..." With her hands she adored his body. With her mouth she sought entrance.
"I'll arse-fuck you the first chance I get." His body finally relaxed allowing her to explore what she wanted.
"Please, please." She quivered as pure need swirled in her core. Miller taking her in such a way didn't frighten her. Not at all. She wanted to know him intimately. And completely. All the threat earned him was a whimper as she tried to go deeper.
He shuddered as she tongued his back hole.
He groaned as she bore in deep.
Totally intent, she moaned. Tried to get deeper. In and out, she worked her tongue much the way he'd done to her pussy. In her gripping hand, his length pulsed hot. "Kaycee!"
Immediately, she abandoned his bottom and moved around to take his cock back into her mouth. The strained muscle was hot and so hard. On the first draw of her lips, he came undone. He grunted and groaned while his come filled her up. His hips jerked forward. She worked to swallow the salty streams he released on each pulse of his cock.
Chest heaving, he opened his eyes to slip from her still-sucking lips. He leaned down, to help her to stand. At her refusal to meet his gaze, his chest constricted. "Luv." He forced her chin up.
Heat scorched her face. "I don't know what comes over me around you."
There'd be no getting over Miller.
Miller looked down at his new hand of cards to curse. "Fuck."
Sitting to his left, Ace snickered along with another cousin, Stephen.
From the other room, he heard Kaycee laugh again. Kaycee and he were hanging out at his place. Christ he liked her there with him. But there was no telling what stories his mum had decided to share. It was impossible to hear a word either of the women said to one another over the noise the men made bullshitting.
"I give up." Tossing his cards down, Miller leaned back. He hadn't been able to concentrate with Kaycee there. Hell, she wasn't even paying him attention, yet his mind was on her.
"Don't cop out yet." Cohen grinned. "I was looking forward to winning more of your money."
Miller flipped his brother off. He'd lost his arse tonight.
"I'm building college funds here." Co took the salute in stride.
"I believe I've won most of the mate's money." Luke tapped the table by the stack of bills and coins he'd collected.
"I'm off my game." That was for bloody sure. It had been a queer evening. Once a month or so, several of them got together to play cards. It was quieter without the twins there.
Matt had been a no show. Sure as shit, the mate had to be brooding over a whole plateful of troubles. And Lee still hadn't checked in with any of the family. All he got out of Connor was "Lee's resting."
"I wish I had a reason like yours for my game to be off." Stephen snickered.
Miller gave the mate a hard look.
"No you don't, mate." Ace squeezed Stephen's shoulder good naturally. "Sheilas are nothing but trouble."
"Hey." Cohen saluted with his beer. "Not all sheilas are trouble."
"Anyone else here remember that bloody year C had away from Hayleigh?" Ace grinned on a shake of his head. "Talk about trouble."
"Eh." Stephen winked. "We had some great times back then."
"I do seem to recall those months." Luke pursed his lips. "Didn't the constable arrest you two twice for drunk and disorderly?"
Miller grunted. "I recall dragging their sorry arses home a time or two."
"Well worth the wait, mates." Again Co saluted with his drink.
Ace snorted.
No sooner did he brace his hands behind his head than Kaycee wandered into the room. Hungrily, he eyeballed her from head to toe. What a beauty his little Yank was.
She blew him a kiss.
He inhaled sharply, straightened in his seat. When would he get used to her playing with him? Flirting with him?
After putting the dishes she carried in the sink, she joined him at the table. "How are you doing?" Her hand massaged his shoulders.
Ace snickered. "You'd better ask the poor bastard how much did he lose?"
She slid into his lap. "Have they been picking on you?"
The feel of her body pressed against him instantly heated him up. His arm went around her to hold her closer. He made sure she felt his hard prick. When would he get used to having her at his side? Would he ever? Most of the time he'd shared with Emily had been out of doors or in one of their barns. The little time he'd spent with Denae had been in public or at her parents'. Having Kaycee mingle with his family turned him on.
"Eh, the blokes have."
"Turnabout is fair." Cohen dealt a new hand of cards to the others. "Big M's been pissing with me all my life."
Miller snorted. "That's fucking bullshit." Years had been spent keeping little C out of trouble.
"Miller Eugene, watch the language. I'm in the room now." His mum had snuck in to pull a water jug from the refrigerator.
Stephen snickered.
Cohen mocked. "You heard Mum. Watch the mouth, Miller Eugene." His brother's amusement turned to laughter. "Christ, I love this."
Miller flipped him off again.
His mum ruffled Co's hair. "Anyone want some pie before I head to bed?"
"No, thanks." Kaycee hugged his neck. "I've already gained my ten pounds for today."
Affectionately, he patted her arse. She was a little fruit loop to worry about her weight.
Luke and Co took pie while Ace got another beer.
A half hour passed while Kaycee cheered Luke on. Miller puzzled over her antics, but Ace was the one to ask, "Sheila, why are you siding with him? I'm losing over here. Whatever happened to the 'rooting for the underdog' you Yanks are always harping about?"
"Because." Her dimples flashed for one and all. "Luke hasn't said anything negative to Miller tonight."
"Talk about loyalty." Ace whistled. "You lucky bastard."
Miller grunted in agreement. He had finally gotten lucky. At least for now. At least until she headed back across the pond. He closed his eyes for a deep breath. Bloody fuck, he didn't want to go there.
"I hate to do this, since I'm not losing, but I've got to head home." Cohen collected his winnings.
"It's a bitch how early dawn comes." Stephen stood. "Hooroo."
Ace and Luke followed suit to leave Miller alone with Kaycee.
The door had no sooner closed behind the men than Kaycee shifted around to straddle his lap. "So, Mr. Thorn, do you need me to soothe you over a night of poor gaming and drinking?" Her lips teased him. "With a little bit of loving?"
A groan tore through his chest at the feel of her lush body pressed along his. The woman had spent long minutes arousing him, and she actually had to ask? "Fucking eh, I do."
"Such language, Miller Eugene." Her gasp turned to laughter as he stood. He clasped her arse to hold her in place. "Please don't pick me up like this." She struggled a bit, but he was stronger and won.
"Be still, luv."
"I don't want you to hurt your back."
He ignored her worry. "You staying over?"
"Are you asking me?" Her fingers clasped at the muscles in his shoulders. Her thighs clutched him tightly.
"Fuck eh, I am."
"Hmm, I just don't know." Her dimples appeared. "What are the incentives?"
"How about I wear out your pretty arse." Eh, he'd wear her out so she wouldn't want to make the drive to Moore's place.
"Oh..." Her teeth nibbled on her lower lip. "So you'll make love to me slow and easy."
His prick pulsed. "Luv, I know you like it hard and fast."
She whimpered. "I love all that friction you cause inside me."
"Stay over." His breathing turned rough. Fuck. He wanted her to stay over. "I'll make it good for you."
"For us." Kaycee pressed a kiss to his mouth. "Making love is supposed to be good for us."
He groaned. Being with Kaycee was always good for him.
"Then yes, I'm staying." She moaned, as he began to walk. "Wait, what about the mess..."
"I'll take care of it in the morning."
One kiss after another lingered along his throat and jaw line.
In the bedroom, he set her down and closed the door. Among shared kisses, they removed one another's shirts. Desperate to get his prick some room, he broke away from the teasing of her lips. They took each other's boots and socks off. He stood once more to remove the rest of his clothes. With his prick in his stroking hand, he watched as she peeled the rest of hers from her body.
"Hmm." Her gaze stayed on his rigid muscle as he pumped it. "You're a big tease to do that." She crawled into the middle of his bed giving him an eyeful to bring him to his knees. Her breasts swayed with each shift of her body. And her arse...her pussy.
He groaned, reached for protection and rolled it on.
"Oh." She turned to lie on her back. "I wanted to tell you..." Eager arms reached for him, she spread her legs.
His balls drew up as he covered her willing body with his own. "Eh?" Christ, don't let me have to think now.
"I've seen Connor for birth control." She bit her lower lip and arched into his hard prick. "If we're still having an affair after next month, I'll be taking care of our protection."
"What?" Of course things would continue on. "What?"
"Well, I mean if...if things keep going as they are between us." She stilled under him. "You said you were clean."
"Eh, I am." Sweat beaded his brow.
"So STDs aren't a worry and we've already...um, gone down on one another." Her breath came in pants, as if she rushed. "I trust you, Miller."
"I trust you too, Yank."
"So I'll be able to take care of our protection."
"What?" He shuddered, did his best to think past his rigid prick and balls ready to release.
"I mean, since we're both clean and healthy." She gulped a breath. Her feet rubbed along the back of his legs. "Is that okay?"
"Is what okay?" Miller inhaled. His heart raced like a rampaging herd.
"Um." Her hands massaged over the tense muscles in his shoulders and arms. "Me on the pill so you won't have to use condoms."
The breath he'd been holding expelled. He dropped his head down next to hers to try to think a second. Besides the slip up he'd had with Kaycee, he'd always been the responsible one. Always. Even when a working girl had gone down on him. His package was covered. Always.
"I'd like to be able to feel your hot release inside me again." Kaycee's breath rushed along his ear, neck. "You're so hard...I want this."
His chest constricted, he groaned at the tight pressure. Not once had he ever thought he'd be in a relationship that'd get to this point. "I want you to enjoy the loving. You don't have to think." He cleared his throat. "I can use the condom."
"There's not much to it." Wet kisses ran over his skin. "I just have to take a pill once a day. After next month, I'll be all squared away." She sighed, her nails bit into his shoulders. "Are you going to make love to me now?" On an arch of her hips, she moaned. "You've been awfully chatty since we got in bed."
He laughed and rolled them over. "Eh, you little fruit loop, I'm going to love you now."
Miller sat at the end of the bar at Brady's pub, killing time.
At Kaycee's urging, he was to meet her at her place for an early dinner. Knowing how she liked to doll herself up, he'd give her a few more minutes. The day had been a long one consisting of manual labor. He hoped the day ended in Kaycee's bed. Most of Kaycee's had been spent in travel time to visit Connor's patients. He'd offered to cart her pretty arse around but had been turned down.
He glanced at his watch again. Not more than five minutes had passed since last check.
A bloke sat down directly beside him. "Hey, mate. I want to introduce myself."
It took Miller only a moment to size the American up. Instantly, he didn't like the man. Did not like the look in his eyes. He didn't take the offered hand. It was soft. He could tell simply by looking.
"Miller Thorn." The man removed his hand with a shrug of his shoulders. "I'm Doug Hollenbeck. We've someone in common."
Hollenbeck.
Tension stiffened his back from arse to neck. "Do we now?" Miller forced himself to take a swallow from his pint.
"Yes, my wife, Kaycee."
He spotted the band the man wore on his ring finger. Kaycee didn't wear a band. What the fuck? Unease crawled across his shoulders. There had never been mention of a husband. Kaycee had never said she was married. Bugger me. I never asked. But the Yank talked about everything. She'd have said something. "You lie."
The man pulled out his wallet to show him pictures of Kaycee and the bloke. In one, she wore a white wedding dress. "Are you telling me she hasn't mentioned me?" Puzzlement clouded the other man's gaze.
On the bar, Miller's hand knotted into a fist.
"This is very peculiar and uncomfortable for you, I'm sure." The American shoved his wallet back into his pants pocket. "She told me earlier today it was time I approached you."
Blood roared in Miller's ears. Old insecurities sucker punched him hard.
Not once in his life had he ever been good enough...not for Emily...not for Denae... Hell, not for his father.
"You see from time to time, my wife and I bring a third into our relationship. It's her job, her prerogative if you will, to choose the third for our ménage."
Miller trembled with growing tension. Anger knotted his muscles.
I'm marrying John Ashlan. He's a man who can give me everything I want.
"Once Kaycee decides on whom she's comfortable bringing into our lives, it's up to me to offer a brief relationship." Hollenbeck smiled. "I must admit I'm surprised she didn't forewarn you of me. Perhaps I was to wait until tomorrow... She can be such a distraction with her pretty mouth."
Fury rushed through his blood.
Denae had hooked up with his own brother.
A train set to rattling in his brain.
Bloody fuck.
He'd never been good enough. Every woman he'd been involved with had left, chosen another.
Emily had fucked him over. I'm marrying John Ashlan. He's a man who can give me everything I want. Denae had left him at the altar. At the bloody altar. And his brother had driven in the last nail with his betrayal. Still, Miller hadn't seen this coming.
"I think it'll be an exciting few months." He smiled. "You and I with Kaycee in the middle."
His fist connected with the man's mouth to lay him flat out on the floor. After a shake of his hand, he sucked the blood off his knuckles.
Dead silence held those in the pub captive for only a heartbeat.
"Thorn, what got into you?" Old man Brady came out from behind the bar.
The man on the floor moaned and rolled over.
Christ, he should've hit the fucker harder. Bloody fuck. He should've known good things didn't happen to him. "If I'm wanted, the law knows how to find me." He had no doubt the pansy arse would pursue an assault charge. But he didn't give a shit.
Just as he had at the wedding altar when Denae had been a no show, he met every gaze in the room and dared them to say anything. On hollowed legs, he made it through the onlookers.
No more being the nice bloke.
He'd never again be anyone's fool.
He'd been screwed over for the last time.
Only this time, his chest felt as if it would cave in on itself. Shaken, he climbed into his truck. Eyes closed, he pinched the bridge of his nose.
A bloody threesome.
His guts knotted. The thought sickened him.
Blood still rushed in an angry tide, he started the truck. Like a plane caught in a tailspin, his world crashed in on him. Emotion shook him as he turned the truck away from Kaycee's to home. Fear drove him. If he saw Kaycee now he worried he'd lose his control. Worse, his temper.
No matter what, he could not hurt a woman.
His foot laid heavy on the gas pedal all the way there. Still, she tortured him.
Scenes played over in his mind. Memories that had come to mean the world to him haunted him.
I want to know whose name to scream.
Will you go with me?
Kiss me.
A groan vibrated in his throat. It tore past the developing clog. "Bloody fuck."
I'll scrub your back.
Oh, Christ. He hadn't been able to get enough of her attention.
Make love to me now.
Stop teasing me.
He'd never teased anyone until she'd come along.
You're a bear, not a crocodile.
I'm quite comfortable, thank you very much.
I did not just eat a cute little roo.
A shuddering breath passed through him. He worked to shake her from the hold she had on his mind. On him.
The phone rang. He groaned when Kaycee's number came up. Unable to speak yet, he allowed the voice mail to pick it up. Afterwards he played the message. "Hi, this is Kaycee. Um, Mr. Thorn, I believe you're late for our dinner date. Call me, okay?"
He wanted to shake her. But even more he wanted to go back to the pub and beat the living shit out of Doug Hollenbeck.
A bloody threesome.
His guts knotted. Bloody fuck. Emily had wanted anything money could buy. Why not Kaycee? He'd have given her anything. Anything she'd asked for, anything she'd wanted.
But he'd never share.
Not ever.
On station property he turned toward his birdie. The pain in his chest still constricted tightly when he finally parked his truck.
With force, he slammed the door. Long strides carried him to his birdie. As he approached the tin can his cell rang again.
Kaycee left another message.
This time he didn't listen to it. He couldn't. Instead he turned the phone off. It'd be out of range soon anyway.
He was dying inside. For the first time he did something he'd never done before. He broke a rule about flying in the bush. He didn't tell anyone when he took to the sky.
Unease had a hold on Kaycee. She couldn't shake the edgy feeling that something was off.
Once more, she cradled the phone. She'd lost track of how long ago she'd left the previous message. She willed Miller to call her back. But he didn't.
Unable to stop herself, she dialed his number again. Heart lodged in her throat, she listened to the rings. He didn't answer. After his message, she left one of her own. "It's me, Kaycee. Hey, I'm getting worried here. Please call me."
"I won't call him again." Tears welled once more, but she blinked them away. "I won't." The country was so big. There were so many dangers faced every day.
Needing to know he was okay, she dialed Maree's number.
"G'day."
"Maree, it's me, Kaycee."
"Yes, it is. Your accent gave you away." Kaycee smiled at the amusement she heard in Maree's voice. She had no clue why she always introduced herself over the phone.
"I hate to bother you. And I don't mean to worry you. But have you heard from Miller recently? See him recently?"
Her questions were met with momentary silence. "He told me he was having dinner with you. Not to expect him home. How late is he?"
"Nearly two hours." That seemed like a lot. Especially for Miller.
"Let me see if I can track him down."
"Okay. Thanks, Maree."
"Hooroo." Miller's mom hung up first. She hoped she didn't upset the other woman.
Impulsively she dialed Miller's number again only to leave another message. "It's Kaycee. I hate to fill up your box...I just need to know you're okay." She bit her lip. "I love you. Call me, okay?"
Needing to keep busy, she carried the phone with her. In the bathroom, she started the water. She'd planned to bathe with Miller but a soak would help calm her down.
A sudden harsh noise brought her head up. Boot heels came on the wood floor. For a split second, she thought it might be Miller. A spark of hope flared that it was. But he'd have knocked.
Fine hairs along her forearms stood on end.
To hear better, she stopped the flow of water.
Another sound.
Another footfall.
This one was softer.
The room's only escape route was through the doorway. Breath stuck in her throat, she hung on to the cell. Carefully, she put a single finger on redial.
On trembling legs, she approached the door. Just as she turned the corner, the years slipped away.
Doug stood there.
No.
Not Doug.
Doug was gone.
Craig Hollenbeck stood in her home. It could be no one else.
Doug's identical twin. Only it looked as if he'd been on the receiving end of a fist. His mouth had been busted open. Both his lips were swollen.
Dear God. She'd not thought of him in years. Had not even considered...
On a jolt of panic, she dialed Miller's number.
His arm rocketed out to snatch her up by her hair.
"Did Miller do that to your face?" Deliberately, she kept her voice loud.
"The Neanderthal got what was coming."
"You didn't hurt Miller." He couldn't have. Her breath caught at the dead calm in his gaze.
Don't panic.
Don't panic.
Last she'd heard, a year after Doug's death, Craig had been institutionalized. After Doug had died, she'd learned how truly twisted Doug's relationship with Craig had been. He'd hurt Doug and controlled him. In turn, Doug had hurt her badly. As far as she was concerned, the man should have rotted in that hospital.
Time and again, she'd been told to move on. Forget about the past. And she had. Too well. Never should she have forgotten about Craig.
"Oh, I did more than hurt the Neanderthal." Craig smiled. "He no longer wants you. He doesn't want anything to do with a murderess!" His mouth twisted in hate causing her to try and shrink away.
Miller hadn't shown up. Hadn't even called her.
Doug had once again ruined her life. Not since waking up and finding out she'd lost Ginger had she felt so badly.
Of all people, she'd expected Miller to understand. Maree had been very open about Miller's childhood. Her heart hurt so badly. Miller's reaction had completely taken her by surprise. Yes, she knew some would never accept what she'd done. Forever, she'd be labeled a murderess by some. It didn't matter that she'd been defending herself. Nor did it matter it'd been an accident.
Dead was dead.
Fight or flight took hold. "It was you...you put the tracker in my boot."
"Yes. Anything can be bought online. And with my parents' money." Craig shook her by the hair.
She moaned. Of course his parents had been supporting him. But surely they didn't support these actions against her.
"My plan has gone famously. In less than five minutes, I destroyed this new life you'd created." Again, he rattled her brain. "Just like you destroyed mine!"
His? His life? "You bastard!" she cried out as she allowed the phone to slide down the back of her leg. Getting caught with the cell would make the situation worse. She kept screaming in hopes Craig wouldn't hear the skid of the phone on the floor. Though Miller hadn't answered, maybe he'd listen to the messages. That was her only hope.
He slapped her hard across the face. Lights flashed in the back of her eyes. Gritting her teeth, she slammed her head into his chin. Roaring, his hand tightened. Not giving him a chance to recover, she slammed all her weight into his body, making sure a knee landed on his balls. She clawed at his face with her sharp nails.
A whimper broke past her dry lips when she missed his eyes.
Finally, he let go so she could run. In a scramble, she snatched up the keys for the truck. Heart pounding, she bolted outside and to the parked vehicle.
Hands shaking in desperation, she jabbed a key into the ignition. Frantic, she turned the key. Nothing happened. Air rushed in and out of her lungs as her heart raced. Nothing.
Again and again, she tried to turn the truck's engine over.
"Kaycee!" Outside, Craig held something in his hand. "You might need this!" He waved what had to be an engine part around to make sure she got a good look before he tossed it away with all his might.
In his other hand, he held a crowbar. Shaking like a leaf she looked around. The GPS had been ripped out of the dashboard. The radio cord had been cut.
Up on her knees, she glanced into the back of the truck to discover Craig had gone through the tools Miller kept on hand in case they were needed. She moaned---the crowbar probably came from Miller's own supply.
"Oh, God." Hands shaking, she checked the glove box where a gun for emergencies should've been. Nothing but paperwork. "Oh, God."
Craig cracked the driver's side window.
She screamed, scuttling across the seat. Slowly, he circled the truck, splintering the glass. Doing her best to stay away from him, she shifted as he moved. Time and again, she sobbed.
Fear held her captive.
Sweat coated her palms.
"Kaycee, you ready to behave?" More and more power was used behind the swings. He was toying with her.
"Oh, God." A fierce pressure built within her skull.
The terrorizing continued as the passenger side window exploded. She covered her head and shoved out of the truck. She stumbled after the long step down but stayed on her feet to make it into the house a second before Craig did.
She slammed the door closed, only to have it burst open before she could get it locked. Kaycee landed on the floor, bruising her wrist as she attempted to break her fall. "Craig! Don't hurt me!" She covered her head and instinctively curled up. How many times had she curled up to protect herself from Doug? She pleaded, "Please don't."
Don't panic.
Don't panic.
"Get up." He yanked on her arm.
Trying to see through tears, she did as she'd been told. "Why are you doing this to me?" A sob tore from her chest. "Why?"
"Because you're my wife now." He grabbed her hair. "Mine." Craig's mouth pressed against her ear. "I've a secret to tell you..."
She whimpered, tried to ease away.
"Doug used to let me fuck you."
"No." She moaned as bile rose.
"Oh yes, dear wife." He shook her until she cried out. "And now, you're all mine."
Miller sat at his spot at the end of the bar. After an hour in his birdie, he hadn't wanted to go home. Couldn't have gone home. He hadn't wanted to go anywhere. At least at Brady's no one would question him.
The American bastard was nowhere to be found when he'd gotten back. It was too bad; he'd wanted another chance to beat the bloke. Old man Brady had told him the American had crawled out of the pub and told them all not to worry.
In brooding silence he drank two more beers.
"Hey, mate." Ace sidled onto the stool beside him.
"Another." Miller lifted his empty pint. "Ace." He didn't look over. "Shouldn't you be somewhere else?" Anywhere else.
"Auntie sent me. She's worried. E's been trying to call you and your bloody phone is off." He tapped the bar. "Slide me one over too."
Brady passed them beers and wandered away.
"Christ, with Travis gone and Lee..." Ace cleared his throat. "You know. Mum thinks I'm some kind of messenger service. Why the fuck is your phone off?"
Because Kaycee kept calling me. And the fool I am wants more than anything to talk to her. Miller guzzled a quarter of the drink. There'd been another time he'd turned it off. During the dinner out at Ayers. Fuck. He didn't need the memories to start eating at him again. "How did you find me?"
"After Luke and Co didn't know where you were, I tried calling your Yank. She didn't answer either." Ace shifted his way. "I figured you two were slapping the headboard again."
Miller's head came around as his fist clenched. Christ, if his cousin started in on Kaycee and him...
"Bugger me." Ace raised his hand up. "Take it easy. I gave Brady a call."
He grunted, looked away. Figured.
"Mate, I think it'd be best to give E a call. He wanted you to call him as soon as possible. Apparently, he's been trying to reach your Yank."
Unease grew in his gut. Why would Ethan want to speak to Kaycee? A frown pulled at his mouth. Though he'd gone a little crazy, he should've kept his phone on. Only with Kaycee, only over Kaycee did he lose his control.
He turned his phone on. Six new messages waited. His throat took to aching once more. "Be right back." He headed outside to listen to them.
The first, as he'd already known, was from Kaycee. "Hi, this is Kaycee. Um, Mr. Thorn, I believe you're late for our dinner date. Call me, okay?"
A sledgehammer weighed down his heart.
A shudder racked his body. "Oh, Christ." Unable to delete Kaycee's, he forced himself to listen to the other messages.
Ethan had left the second. "Big M. It's important, call me." He deleted it.
The muscles in his jaws bugled as he listened to Kaycee's second message. "It's me, Kaycee. Hey, I'm getting worried here. Please call me."
"Bloody fuck." Kaycee... He saved her message to torture himself with later.
He closed his eyes to listen to another message by Ethan and one from his mum. Quickly, he erased their calls.
Another from Kaycee was next. "It's Kaycee. I hate to fill up your box... I just need to know you're okay. I love you. Call me, okay?"
I love you.
Miller saved the message to listen to the last.
There was a moment of silence before a voice poured from the speaker. "Oh, I did more than hurt the Neanderthal. He no longer wants you. He doesn't want anything to do with a murderess!"
"It was you...you put the tracker in my boot." Her voice trembled.
"Yes. Anything can be bought online. And with my parents' money. My plan has gone famously. In less than five minutes I destroyed this new life you'd created." A male voice went on in a snarl, "Just like you destroyed mine."
This last of the message nearly brought him to his knees. It would have had he not pressed a hand to the building.
He didn't understand what the man was going on about. But his concern was for Kaycee and what she must think of him now. He groaned.
"You bastard!" Kaycee's scream tore through his heart. The rest of the message was unclear. But it sounded like his little Yank was fighting with someone. Then the time allotted ran out.
"Oh, Christ, what have I done?" He turned to collect Ace. He might need the mate's aid.
Only, his cousin stood there. "I'm a nosy stickybeaked fucker. I've never known you to turn your phone off."
"I need to get to Kaycee."
They ran to his truck. Inside, neither spoke as the truck's wheels spun along the road. Miller's heart stayed at an Olympic pace.
He had fucked up bad.
She hadn't chosen another over him.
She hadn't abandoned him.
For the first time in his life, he'd fucked up. Oh, Christ, he'd been blinded by his emotions. His bloody insecurities. How many times had his father beat him to rid him of any feelings? He swallowed hard.
If she... If she...
Shaking, he pressed a fist to his mouth.
"She'll be fine, mate." Ace squeezed his shoulder, then settled back for the ride.
Miller gripped the wheel in both hands. His knuckles whitened. Eh, Kaycee would be all right. She had to be.
Thankfully, the property Kaycee rented wasn't too far from town.
"Oh, hell." Ace sat forward as they turned down the short lane the house was on.
His gaze blurred at the sight of the windows smashed on the truck that Kaycee had been using. He shoved his vehicle into park and jumped out on a run. She wasn't in the truck. That was good. But where the hell was she?
There wasn't another vehicle on the property. That was a bad sign. He doubted anyone was inside.
Ace stood at the door of the house that had been left wide open. "Want me to go in first?"
Miller pushed past his cousin. A struggle had taken place in the living room. A shirt of his that Kaycee liked to wear lay torn up on the floor. Momentarily unable to move, he groaned.
If the bastard...
"She's not here. M?"
His gaze shifted up to meet Ace's.
"Give me a second. I'll figure out which way they've headed." Ace grasped his shoulder on the way out. "Call your brother while I check things out." Fuck. He should've called E on the drive over. His mind hadn't been clear. But it was now. For Kaycee's sake his act was together.
Outside, back at his truck, Miller had gone numb or tried to. Giving in to the growing madness wouldn't do his Yank any good. Still, blame tore at his soul. Stay focused. Stay cool. It's the only way.
He dialed Ethan's number and Ethan answered right away. "Finally, mate. I was about to call in the big guns."
Miller wasted no time because Kaycee had little. "A bloke approached me earlier. Said he was Doug Hollenbeck. That he was Kaycee's husband." He left off what had really torn him in two. "I think the whacker has taken her."
"Fuck. I was afraid of that. Give me a second to see what rescue birds can get up and mobile. It's going to be dark soon. I'll fill you in in a minute."
"Eh, there's not much time." And half the bloody world lay around them.
Ethan spoke on another phone now. His voice came across as no more than murmurs.
Bugger me.
Ace had disappeared from sight.
Everyone was doing something to save Kaycee except him. And he should be doing the most.
"Back. Keep the radio open. If anyone spots anything, they'll get on the horn. I've notified the local coppers. They'll be looking too."
"Thanks." Miller's throat worked. Such a small word. If only he could say more to Kaycee right now.
"If my guess is right...it's not her husband who has her. He'd dead. She killed him in an act of self defense."
"I saw a wedding picture of her and him." Oh, Christ. Rage, and overwhelming guilt nearly blinded him. He'd been played. "The bloke... Twin brothers?"
"Yes. Listen, it's bad M. I won't go into details. But Craig Hollenbeck, her husband's twin, spent time in a mental hospital. If she's been kidnapped, my guess is that the crazy bastard has her."
Miller moaned. He'd been so sure Kaycee hadn't wanted him any more than Emily or Denae had. Time and again he'd gone through the ringer. He'd just assumed he hadn't been good enough for Kaycee either. Bloody fuck. He'd never even looked for any cracks in the man's story, though now he saw several. His insecurity had gotten the better of him, of his pride. He'd accepted the worst because that's what he always got. He'd been a bloody pig's hole.
He'd been fucking played as the pieces fell into place. His own insecurities had cost Kaycee.
"I've spoken to a detective who's checked in with his family, who reported he'd gone missing. What was found in Craig's possession...it's clear he's been obsessing over Kaycee for a long time. He's simply been biding his time until he could go after her."
"Fuck!" He hadn't been able to see past his own bloody vulnerabilities. "Fuck!"
"Mate, this isn't your fault. He would've come after her eventually no matter where she was."
The fuck it wasn't his fault. He might as well have handed Kaycee over to the whacker. Tears burned the back of his eyes. He'd never forgive himself...
"They're heading south." Coming around the front of the truck, Ace tapped the hood. "Let's roll."
"E, Ace is here. He says they're heading south. I'll be in touch." He pulled his door closed. Revved the engine.
"If Ace is there, get your arses in a birdie. He's the best tracker in our region. It's why Hollywood pays him the big bucks."
"That's my plan." They sped along the road heading south. "E?"
"Yeah?"
"About Little M... I'm honored. If I had a do over, I wouldn't have been a pig's arse over everything."
Ethan was silent a moment. "No worries. You've always been my best mate. Let me know when you find Kaycee."
Miller tossed the phone to Ace. "Call Lee and see if he can get up in the air." South would take them toward Connor's clinic.
"My brother's got a birdie out at Doc's?"
"Eh, I had it dropped off to him a couple days back." Sweat poured down his forehead, so Miller wiped it away with an arm. "Figured he'd want it eventually."
For a few minutes, Ace spoke to Lee while Miller drove. Once he ended the call, Ace turned to him. "Lee said for you, he'd drag his sorry arse out of bed." He handed back Miller's phone. "Did you notice my brother doesn't sound gay?"
Miller spared him a glance.
"Miller Thorn, Constable Morgans here. Come back."
Miller answered the radio call. "Miller here. Come back."
"I've got a confirmed sighting of one Craig Hollenbeck. Come back."
"Copy."
"Gotta love computers, technology and the persistence of one Ethan Thorn. Come back."
Thanks little brother. "Copy."
"A credit card was used to fill up his gas tank three hours ago. Come back."
"Copy."
"It's reported he's driving a green Holden Ute. Unsure of the exact make and year. The bird dogs know what to watch for. Over."
"Copy. Over."
How long ago had it been since he'd left Kaycee's house? It hadn't been five hours. Didn't think it'd been four. Course it also felt like years. All the should-have's came rushing back at him. He pushed them away. Didn't have time for them now.
In the distance the rumble of a small bird grew closer.
Another call came across the radio. "Big M. Lee here. I checked north first. They have to have already traveled past Doc's. You want a lift? Comeback."
"Eh. Set the bird down and we'll trade. Comeback."
"Copy."
"See?" Ace thumbed toward the radio. "He doesn't sound gay."
Miller gave him a hard look. Didn't have time for that either.
At the approach of the plane, Miller pulled the truck off the road. They didn't speak as they switched modes of transportation.
Once airborne, Ace stated what Miller had tried not to think about. "It's going to be dark soon."
"Eh, I know it. Check and see who's down south." Miller worked to calm down. He needed to stay focused. Needed it badly.
Ace spent a few minutes on the radio. "Jack Baron and the crazy bloke Minogue. Which means Kaycee's gotta be somewhere between them and us."
Miller bet they were closer than the other birdies. There hadn't been that big of a head start.
We're coming, luv.
Just hang on.
Agonizingly slow ticks of the clock passed before eagle eyes spotted something. "There!" Ace pointed at what looked to be a speck from their distance.
Miller dropped the birdie lower.
Ace pulled out his high-power glasses for a better view.
Miller swung the plane, putting Ace in the best possible position to see into the vehicle.
"Kaycee's in the front seat alongside him." He lowered the equipment. "He's got her chained up and she looks to be gagged. Sorry, M."
A shudder of malevolence shook him. That bastard would be sorry.
"The crazy fuck also put a seatbelt on her. Thoughtful of him, huh?" His cousin set about getting others in position. The law would be hightailing it to their location. Doc had been notified of possible injuries.
Miller couldn't wait for the others to get there. He'd gotten Kaycee into this. No way could he sit back and have her suffer any longer. She'd trusted him...had loved him, and he'd failed her.
"Hey, M. You're supposed to be dropping back."
"Impossible." His jaws ached from his clenching teeth. "Impossible. I love her, Ace."
"I know, mate." Ace's hand gripped his shoulder like a brother. "We all know you do."
Miller's throat clogged. Kaycee didn't know. He'd never told her. Not telling her had been his first mistake. Christ, he wouldn't make any more.
"The fucker is shooting at us." Ace adjusted his headset.
"Eh." As long as the bastard fired upon them he wasn't paying attention to Kaycee. Anything to keep the whacker off Kaycee. "How many rounds do you think he's used?"
Adrenaline and fury had him on edge. His woman was down there.
"What?" Ace flashed him an are you a nut? look. "Shit. I don't want to go to hell sooner than I had planned."
Miller growled in frustration. Kaycee was down there. With a man who was radically firing a bloody gun.
"Want me to stick my head out to count the empty casings? Give him something smaller to use as a bloody target?" Ace shook his head. "Back off before he nails us and we go up like a can of petro."
"If I drop back he has a better shot of hitting us." As it was, he kept them close in a zigzag motion, erratically changing his pattern.
"Fuck. Fuck. Fuck."
"Eh. Fuck." He nodded in agreement.
With a wild wave of his arm another shot was fired.
"At least he's a poor shot."
"So far." But the bastard might still get lucky.
His cousin sent a call out that they were being fired on.
"I need you to take over."
"What?" Ace grabbed the controls as he got in motion.
"Get me as close as you can."
"What? A mate gets a steady piece of arse and he loses his bloody mind?" Ace kept the birdie steady.
"Keep me in close to the truck bed." Growing up he'd taken his share of licks from falling off the back of a horse before. A hard landing from this height he could handle.
"Oh, hell. I can't believe I'm agreeing to this. Your mum will skin me if something happens to you." Ace laughed but the sound wasn't happy. "Be ready. I'm going to set this tin can down for you."
Miller grabbed his headphones to remove them. The difference between Ace and him was that his cousin was a show off. Loved pushing planes past their limits. Pilots with Ace's attitude normally died early. For that fact alone, Auntie had forbidden Ace from ever teaching Travis.
Today, Miller was thankful to have him along.
Ace did his thing as Miller got into position on the wing. The roar of the birdie's engine rattled his brain. He didn't think about anything other than a good landing as he eyed the truck bed.
Didn't matter which way the truck moved, Ace was there on top of it. Already the truck slowed as the bastard tried to dislodge Ace. Not a good thing considering the bird needed speed to stay up.
But just as promised, Ace maneuvered the plane's wheels over the top of the cab. This allowed him to slide down into the truck bed. Still, the landing was hard. Every bone in his body vibrated when he hit.
Despite the risks, he spun around, used all his might to kick the back window out.
The truck came to a sudden stop sending him crashing into the cab. His left shoulder dislocated on impact. His head ached from his skull making contact as well. He groaned as he was tossed back half as hard. A bullet wizzed by his right ear, rattling his eardrum.
The bloke was out to kill him. With no time to think, he rose up into a crouching position with his knife in hand.
"You fucking Neanderthal!" A bullet hit him in his already-injured left shoulder. A second bullet hit the hanging arm as he sent his knife toward the bastard's heart.
Miller didn't miss. The blade went through the breastplate to impale him.
The man stumbled back, the corner of the opened doorframe embedded in his head.
Shaking, Miller climbed from the back of the truck. As his feet hit the ground his whole body jarred painfully. In slow motion, he shuffled to the passenger side.
Already he heard Ace pulling up.
He managed to get the door open. "Kaycee." At the sight of her, he leaned on the door frame. "Oh, Christ, Kaycee."
Mouth gagged, her head had fallen back.
In her throat a slow, even pulse beat.
Handcuffs secured her wrists to a safety bar.
The bastard had bound her feet together as well.
But it was what she wore that blinded Miller. Her breasts were barely covered in some fancy white dress shirt that dipped low along her cleavage. Pussy and hips had been encased in some contraption with a padlock on it. It looked painfully uncomfortable.
The sight infuriated him, terrified him.
Guilt clawed at his guts.
His fault. His fault.
"Kaycee, come on, luv." With his good hand he managed to get the gag off of her mouth. "Come on, luv. Can you hear me?"
A groan rumbled up from his chest. What else had the bastard done to her? He couldn't bear thinking about it. Nausea rolled in his gut. Haunted by his past he'd run away from her, and she'd been kidnapped. Whatever happened was his fault. No one would blame her if she never spoke to him again...
"Come on, luv." Trembling, he caressed her cheek with his thumb. "You need to wake up. You're all right now." He swallowed.
Ace slapped a bandage on his arm. "Hold this. Too bad neither of us is a bloody octopus..." He trailed off. "Mate, let me in there."
Fuck! He was useless one-armed. Bile rose in his throat. Noticing the blanket his cousin carried, he nodded. "Cover her up."
Gently, Ace put the blanket over her best he could.
Stomach pitching again, he turned away to chuck. He wiped his mouth and straightened. The world spun.
"Mate, stay with me." Ace clasped his good arm. "I've got her loose but I'm worried about hurting her."
"No. Don't hurt her." Miller wiped his mouth again. She'd already been hurt enough.
"What the fuck is she wearing?"
He managed to shake his head. The bastard had hurt and humiliated his Kaycee. "Oh, fuck."
"I think she's coming around. She moaned a time or two while I got her loose."
In the truck seat, she was still unconscious. Ace had removed everything but the metal belt she wore.
"I don't know what to do." Miller didn't have a clue. Whatever was around her middle, he'd not encountered before.
"Okay, fuck it. I say we just cut it off." As Ace took hold of the padlock, she screamed and fought. "Hey, take it easy. It's over."
"Kaycee. Shh, luv." Miller's world spun, sheer will keeping him on his feet. "Let me hold her."
"Hold her?" Ace struggled to get her to settle down. "Shit. Bleed all over her, see if I care." His cousin stepped back.
Dropping the bandage he'd been holding to a wound, he moved in, leaned down and wrapped his good arm around her. "I've got you." Sobs racked Kaycee's body as he held her. "Shh, everything is all right now."
No matter what he tried, she wouldn't look at him. Wouldn't say his name.
"Ace is going to cut this... I need you to try and stand so he doesn't hurt you..."
"I want it off!" Head down, she nodded. "Oh, God, I want it off."
Kaycee came to slowly, hesitantly. She didn't want to wake up. Didn't want to break away from the warm body that held her cocooned from the world. Her head rested on Miller's arm. His masculine scent tickled her nose. Front to back, he spooned her body in the small hospital bed.
If she didn't wake up she didn't have to face anything, let alone the future. She could stay in the dream.
She had to face reality. Miller had left her. He'd left her without looking back. That's why he hadn't called. The farewell had been far worse than she'd thought it would be. It'd had nothing to with the accident with Doug. Nothing at all.
She bit her lower lip to still its trembling.
He hadn't trusted her.
After what Craig had quite gleefully admitted telling Miller... Well, in her heart she knew he'd left her for good. And still, after the terror, the humiliation and shame Craig had made her endure, Miller's leaving hurt more.
The rational part of her brain concluded Craig had manipulated Miller, had manipulated everything to his own designs. Yet in the end, Miller hadn't trusted her. Hadn't cared enough for her to find out the truth.
But on the other hand, he'd turned around and saved her. If it hadn't been for Miller, Craig would've taken her to who knows where so they could live happily ever after.
She shivered.
Strange how fate sometimes dropped the pieces together.
Even stranger how someone could feel so numb. From the moment Craig had told her what he'd said to Miller, her life had dulled.
"G'day, sheila." A blond man touched her shoulder.
"Hello." She swallowed to moisten her dry mouth.
"So you're Kaycee. Miller has told me a lot about you."
"He has not." Talking wasn't his way. The Native sure didn't take after his mom.
"Oh, sweetheart, I've never known my brother to talk so much." He glanced down at his watch. "Up until about an hour ago, he pretty much told me everything I'd ever want to know about you. Until he fell asleep." He smiled. A truly breathtaking smile. Still it wasn't sexy or shy like Miller's.
No way would she believe Miller had been discussing her, but she didn't say anything. It'd be pointless.
"You up to company?"
She pulled the sheet up to cover most of her face.
"We spoke on the phone, I'm Ethan Thorn." He sat in the chair. "I've been waiting for you to wake up."
Yes, she'd been asleep a long time. Connor had given her a sedative. She'd gotten freaked out when Craig had put that belt on her... The gag had equally frightened her. She'd been sure she was going to suffocate. Though she'd passed out sometime after Craig laughed at her terror of the situation. And upon waking to discover Miller and Ace there, she'd been just as freaked.
For more warmth from Miller's big body, she cuddled back into his chest only to have his injured arm prevent her from getting close enough. Remembering his injury and not wanting to hurt him she tried to ease away. He remained sleeping. Light snores buzzed in her ear.
"Constable Morgans on the other side of the room needs a statement from you."
"Oh." She lifted her head to see the other man.
"G'day, sheila." He tipped his hat. "Whenever you're ready to talk."
Settled back down, she brought the sheet back up to cover most of her face.
"It doesn't have to be now." Ethan got her attention. "But I'm here as moral support if you need it."
"Now is fine." It was best. She'd be leaving as soon as she could. It'd be for the best to get this over with. "Thank you."
"Constable Morgans has a recorder." A gaze so much like Miller's regarded her. "Is it all right to tape the conversation?"
"Yes." She closed her eyes. The scene slipped away as the policeman spoke his name and gave his credentials for the record.
This wasn't the first time she'd gone through this procedure.
God willing, it'd be her last.
Slowly starting with her name, she explained what had happened. Though she trembled, the telling wasn't as painful as the accident with Doug had been. That one she remembered she had to repeat to several people.
On a breath to continue, she noticed Miller no longer snored. She attempted to move away in the confined space, but the arm she rested on wrapped around her shoulders.
"Kaycee, did he rape you?" The officer's voice was calm.
"No." What he and Doug had done didn't count now. And not worth wasting her tears on.
"Doctor Giese found..."
She cut him off to focus on Ethan instead. "Once he made me put that chastity belt on, he ejaculated on me. I can tell you a hundred things he had planned for me..." Oh yes, the bastard had taken pleasure in tormenting her. "His goal was to get us as far away as possible before...before he... He slapped me a few times, pulled my hair." Her scalp still ached. "But most of it came down to humiliating me. I wasn't raped."
Tears welled in her eyes. Her chest tightened as it became hard to breathe.
She pulled the cover up further on her head.
There was no reason she had to look at Ethan to talk to either of the men. She didn't have to look at anyone.
"E, get my shoulder out of this sling." Miller's accent rumbled across her nerve ending. He shifted up a little behind her.
"Doc's not going..." Footsteps sounded from Ethan's way.
"I'll handle Doc. Just get my arm out of this bloody thing."
At the feel of his other arm going around her, she whimpered.
"You're all right now, luv." His arm weighed heavily on her bruised body. "If you need more from Kaycee, get it tomorrow."
"Sure. You two get some rest." Morgans moved away.
"I'll be back later. Hooroo, sheila." Ethan followed the officer out.
The door closed before Miller spoke.
"Kaycee."
She tightened the sheet over her head.
"I'm bloody sorry that whacker ever got to you."
Oh, please don't...
"I'm bloody sorry that I didn't get to you sooner."
Fresh tears pooled behind her eyelids.
"I'm bloody sorry for being a pig's arse."
Please stop...
"I'm bloody sorry I hurt you, made you cry."
She pressed her thumb to her mouth and bit down to whimper. No. No. No. Don't be sorry. He was confusing her battered emotions.
"If you let me I'll make it all up to you."
Kaycee cried then. The tears started slow but turned to huge sobs. Because if that declaration had come before Craig had told her...it would have made her the happiest woman in the world.
"Shh, luv, don't cry anymore."
Working at it, she calmed. For his sake, she'd not cry again. "It's okay, Miller." Chills racked her body as she forced words past a tight throat. "There's no need to feel any guilt."
"Kaycee." His body got impossibly closer to her.
"It's all over now." She swallowed. "I'm going to go home as soon as I can."
"Home?"
"Back to Iowa. I never fit in here anyways." Her mouth trembled. She'd wanted to fit in so badly. She'd been ready to stay.
His breathing came harsher. "All right, if that's what you want."
She expected him to say something more. But he didn't.
The numbness that had held her in an unfeeling trance faded away to leave a terrible pressure under her breast.
Miller's eyelids drifted closed again, only to open at the touch on his arm.
"You need to go to bed." Arms folded, Kaycee stepped away from him. She looked tired.
He glanced at the clock on the wall. Nearly one in the morning. For hours now, he'd been trying to write his sister, Shania, an e-mail in response to the one he'd received about the ordeal. She was away at university studying to be a veterinarian like their cousin Paul. He wasn't any good at letter writing, while Shania tended to write him books.
He swallowed. "I didn't mean for the light to keep you up."
"It didn't."
"Couldn't sleep?"
She backed away. "Goodnight."
Unable to say anything, he watched her exit the office and close the door, leaving it only a crack open as he'd had it.
Three nights. They'd been home from the clinic three nights. How was he going to survive? The pain medicine Doc had given him wasn't doing a bloody bit of good. He'd never ached like this in his life. He rubbed his chest over his heart.
It was over between Kaycee and him. Over. He'd hurt the only woman who'd ever known him at all. He'd turned his back on the only woman who'd ever meant anything to him. All because he'd expected the worst. Fuck! Not only had he expected it, he'd accepted it. Christ knew he didn't deserve another chance.
With a shaky hand, he used the mouse to save the reply he'd been working on and shut down the computer. He turned the office light off on his way out.
Under a blanket, Kaycee lay huddled on the very edge of the bed. Like the previous nights, the bedside lamp glowed low.
Sweet beaded his brow. He wanted to hold her. Even more, he wanted to tell her how bloody sorry he was. But he'd spilled his guts at the clinic, and she didn't want to hear more from him. Still, he crouched down beside the bed. "You need anything before I lie down?"
"Nope." Kaycee's gray eyes closed. "I don't like taking your bed..."
"No worries. You're welcome here..." Trailing off, he swallowed hard. "I've got to get up early anyway."
A tear slid down from the corner of her closed lids.
"Christ, don't cry." The one thing he couldn't take was her tears. He felt so bloody responsible for them. Hell, he was to blame. He let out a shaky breath.
"I'm not." Her lips trembled. "I just don't feel so well."
"I know... I'm bloody sorry." Miller knotted his hands into fists as not to touch her. She didn't want that. "Luv, I know you were told to stay here in case you were needed...but if you want to go home now, I'll make the arrangements... I'll cover any return flight..."
"No." Kaycee swung up. "I don't want you to spend another dime on me. What we had was never about money."
I'm marrying John Ashlan. He's a man who can give me everything I want.
"I know." Though Emily had wanted only what money could buy her, Kaycee had wanted only him.
Her face flushed. "I loved you."
Chest constricted, he groaned. "Kaycee, please..." Don't think that way. Not in the past tense.
"But, you didn't love me... And that's okay. I knew you didn't love me..." Her lip trembled while she nodded. "I knew it."
If only he'd told her how he'd felt. His chest constricted making it hard to breathe let alone speak. He'd made so many bloody mistakes where she was concerned. So many bloody mistakes.
"I just need a couple days to rest. To clear my mind." She wiped her cheeks. "I think it'll be best for me to try and find a place in town to stay until Constable Morgans says I can go. I'm thinking about asking Connor."
"No."
She jerked at his tone. Her arms came around her body.
A tic kicked-started in his jaw. That, he couldn't allow. No matter what, he wanted these last days with her here. At least with her here, he could look at her, know she was safe.
"I'm too tired to argue now." Again, she wiped her face.
"Save your money. Mum wants you here too." He pushed to his feet. "Try to get some sleep."
Miller slowed before he rounded the house. Kaycee and Connor sat on the porch. He could hear them talking. He shouldn't listen but he couldn't pull himself away. A week had passed since Kaycee had been hurt. Traumatized by that bastard. A week since he'd made the worst mistake of his life.
He exhaled slowly. He'd been avoiding Kaycee. It was for the best. No way did he want to add any discomfort and strain to the remainder of her stay.
"Really, I'm doing much better." Kaycee attempted to reassure the doc. "What I went through wasn't...wasn't as horrible as what Doug put me through."
What bullshit the Yank was shoveling for the doc. What she'd gone through shouldn't have happened. She'd bloody suffered something awful. All because of his bloody insecurities. He should've never let her out of his sight, especially after that bastard had shown up.
Bloody fuck.
"You want to talk about anything, I'm here." Footsteps sounded on the porch. "I'm a bloody good listener."
"Are you sure you want to listen to me ramble again?"
Miller moved closer. Another reason he'd been avoiding the Yank was because he didn't know what to say. What to ask. Christ what he wouldn't give to be open the way his brothers were. Neither one of them had ever had trouble running their mouths.
He placed his hand on the house to brace himself for what might be coming.
"Eh, sheila. The sooner you get it all out, the sooner the healing will start."
Kaycee was silent a long moment. "Craig said Doug let him...let him use me..." Her voice grew weaker. "Looking back, there were nights I thought something wasn't right... Isn't that just awful that I didn't realize?" Her voice broke. "It makes me mad and so sick to think about."
Trembling, Miller rubbed at his tight chest over his heart. He listened to movement on the porch. He listened to the doc console her the way he wanted to. Bloody fuck. Unable to listen to more, he went around to the front entrance. In the kitchen, he poured a glass of cool water, only to have it slip from his weak hand. The glass broke, spilling water everywhere. "Fuck!"
"Miller Eugene..."
He turned his head to look at his mum. "Sorry."
"Sit down, I'll clean it up." Her tone softened with her gaze.
"I can clean up the bloody mess." He dropped a rag down to sop up the spill. As the door opened and closed, he knelt to collect the big pieces.
"Let me help you..." Kaycee reached for a chunk, but he caught her wrist.
A jolt of longing went through him at the feel of her skin. He'd missed touching her so damn bad. He watched as her breath quickened. After holding on too long he let her go.
"No. I've got this." She had no business handling the sharp shards. When she straightened, he kept collecting the glass.
"Miller, I want to see you in your office. Right now."
He looked up at the doctor.
"Right now." The doc nodded toward the doorway. "Maree and Kaycee can finish up."
"All right." Reluctantly, he dropped the broken glass into the trashcan and led the way to his office.
Connor closed the door when he entered behind him. "Where's the sling? Why haven't you been resting?"
"The sling gets in my way." Miller sat on the corner of the desk. "I don't have time to rest."
Connor collected the empty medicine bottle from his desk and tossed it back down. Tightlipped, the doctor waved to his shirt. "Take it off. I want to look at your wounds."
"My injuries are fine."
"Christ, M. I'm a bloody doctor. You were the one seriously injured, not Kaycee."
On a growl, Miller stood. "That's bullshit! She was kidnapped and tortured!"
Connor held up a hand. "Yes, she suffered abuse and mental anguish, but physically, you were the one put in jeopardy. Do you remember the blood loss, the stitches? This dislocated shoulder?"
"Bloody fuck! Keep your voice down." They'd all promised him not to tell Kaycee what had actually happened. She was safe. That was all that mattered.
"Fine. Let me see your wounds."
He clenched his teeth. If the constriction in his chest would ease up, he'd be bloody fine. Still, he undid the shirt buttons so the bloody nosybeak doc could have a look.
"Miller, you're sweating and shaking. Have you slept since you left the clinic?"
"Some."
Connor shook his head and shook it again when he got a look at his shoulder. "It's bloody swollen. Are you in pain?"
Miller glared. "Eh, my chest is killing me."
The doctor groaned and let the shirt fall back into place. Forcefully, Connor set about doing his shirt back up. "I want you to wear the bloody sling until I tell you different. A dislocated shoulder is serious business. If the ligaments are damaged, you can wind up with surgery or need therapy. There could be permanent damage to the joint itself. You could lose the use of it, and then how will you work? The shoulder needs rest to heal."
Miller continued to glare. He'd heard the doctor well enough before he'd left the clinic.
"You need to rest. Sleep at night." Connor stepped back. "The pain killers weren't for your emotional duress. They were for physical pain from your injuries. Now, where's the bloody sling?"
In his bedroom, Miller handed the doctor the sling and held still while it was fitted on him. "My arm is useless in this contraption."
"Good. The point is to keep the injured shoulder immobile. If you want to bloody well use that shoulder for the rest of your life, you'll wear the bloody sling." Connor folded his arms. "Now besides for Kaycee, how are you doing emotionally?"
"What?"
"In self-defense you stabbed and killed a man." The doc clasped his good shoulder. "How are you coping with that?"
"That bastard had kidnapped Kaycee and been trying to kill me." For a moment he closed his eyes. There'd been only one chance. And no choice. Considering the man had been firing a gun, he'd done what he'd had to do. "I don't need a head doctor."
"If you ever need to talk about it, you've my number."
He nodded his thanks, wishing he'd talked to Kaycee about a great many things. Eh, if he'd known how to open up...she'd have known how much she'd always meant to him.
After a friendly clasp to his shoulder the doctor left him, only to stop in the kitchen where his mum and Kaycee sat at the table.
"Maree..." The doc shoved his hands into his pockets. "I need you to call me if Miller doesn't rest. He needs to wear the sling for his shoulder to heal." He withdrew a bottle and handed it over. "You're in charge of these from now on. Please follow the directions."
Miller ground his teeth together. The bloody bloke had gotten his mum involved.
"Kaycee, maybe you can talk him into following my orders."
The Yank's eyes widened. "He's a grown man...surely he can follow your orders."
"You'd think, wouldn't you?" Connor speared him with a hard gaze before turning back to Kaycee. "Luv, call me if you need to talk. I'm always available." He clasped his mum on the shoulder. "Luv, if I never get another Thorn under my care while I'm still in practice, it'll be too soon."
At the door, he glanced back. "M, I'll swing back by when I make my rounds."
Under his mum's scrutiny, he followed the doctor out.
Another week in Australia, and she'd be crazy. How would she ever get through four and a half more weeks? It'd been over a week since the scene with Craig. Ethan had explained she had to stay in the country for six weeks to make sure all the proper legal papers were filed.
It had seemed excessive, yet she didn't argue. Besides, it was best to make sure everything was taken care of before she left. Another ticket to the outback would be expensive.
So her time had been spent resting mostly. Several times Connor had made a trip out to check on her. She'd explained physically she was fine and mentally she was holding up better than even she'd expected. No blame ate at her soul. Not even a single nightmare had woken her at night. That hadn't been so in Doug's case. Nightmares had terrorized her for months on end.
Officer Morgans had said Craig was dead. She wondered if that had eased her subconscious. People in their graves shouldn't have power over another. Craig wasn't going to get any from her. She'd learned she was a survivor.
Maree came into the kitchen and sat in her usual spot at the kitchen table. Maree didn't greet her. A strain had developed between them. Kaycee considered taking her drink outside to finish it.
She sighed. It'd have been best to stay in the rental property. Only she hadn't been up to facing the demons there. Those first few days had been rough. So, she'd allowed Miller to insist she stay at his home. Maree's home.
Again, she sighed. No more backing down from facing things. Time to get this out in the open. First she'd talk to Maree. Then she'd talk to Miller. She needed to. Today she was in a better mindset. And in no way did she want him to feel guilty about what had happened. He wasn't to blame. Craig had been a madman.
"Maree?" She couldn't continue to stay there with this breach between them. It wasn't fair to Maree.
"Yes?" The woman looked up from her puzzle.
"If you have something to say to me, I wish you'd just say it."
"All right." Maree removed her reading glasses. "Then I will. I think it's time you leave."
An ache slammed into her middle. The discomfort, the sadness, mixed with embarrassment. Kaycee lowered her gaze. "Of course. I'll..."
The older woman cut her off. "Let me finish. Your behavior surprised me." She shook her head, almost sadly. "I can't believe I was wrong about you. What you told me about your relationship with your husband. How ugly it turned out for you."
"Maree..."
"And you're sitting here allowing the recent incidents to control you, your future. In the hours that man held you...did it really compare to what your husband put you through?"
No. No it didn't even come close. "Maree..." She took a breath. "Miller left me before..."
Maree waved a hand. "That man who took you twisted everything around to hurt my baby. It'd have taken that bastard less than an hour to find out what would bring my son down. People talk." Maree's eyes darkened. "There's not a person in this region who doesn't know about Emily picking another over Miller. There's not a soul around here who doesn't know Denae left him standing alone to face every native within ten hours of here." Her lips tightened. "My son can be proud. And there's no fault in that."
Kaycee's mouth dried out, she swallowed for moisture. She didn't want Maree to stop. Though Miller's mom had told her many stories about him, these hadn't been among them.
"But you know what?"
Kaycee gave a small shake of her head. "What?"
"My Miller has never said a bad word about either of them." Maree's mouth trembled. "Not one bad word. And my son didn't love either one of them. He wasn't in love with them. But you... I'd thought he'd found something true blue. Something worth fighting for. My baby allowed himself to be used for target practice to save you."
Kaycee's breath caught. No one had said what happened before she came to. And when she'd asked Miller, he'd told her not to worry. He'd said he'd dislocated his shoulder. It was already on the mend. "I thought..."
"My boy told us all not to tell you what happened. All that mattered to him was you were safe and that man would never hurt you again."
"Are you saying Miller was shot?" Her heart crawled up into her throat.
"Yes. Once in the shoulder. Another in the arm. If that man had had better aim..."
Oh, God. How horribly awful. She closed her eyes as details of the rescue surfaced. There had been blood... But she'd been so completely freaked out over that horrible thing Craig had forced her to wear. She'd felt as if her middle was being crushed, especially as they'd gotten on the road. And the terrifying gag... She'd been sure she'd die from suffocation.
Oh, God...
She'd not seen him with his shirt off. He'd not made a move to touch her since that day in the hospital bed... She'd simply not realized...maybe she hadn't wanted to think about it. "I thought his shoulder had been dislocated."
"Yes. But he's dealt with one before. He's had broken bones." Maree shook her head. "But my boy has never grieved over a broken heart. Now, I want you to pack your belongings."
Her throat tightened. Never see Miller again... She'd meant to speak to Miller. But now she needed to more than ever. "Ethan said---"
Maree cut her off. "I take full responsibility for that. I was naïve. I thought a few weeks, and you'd come around. But I'm changing my mind. M's grieving as much with you here as he would with you gone. And just so you know, my M doesn't know a thing about what I cooked up with E. So don't go blaming him."
"Oh, I see." On shakily legs she stood. "Did, did Miller..."
As if reading her mind, Maree carefully chose her words, "Like I said, all that mattered to my boy was making sure that man never hurt you again."
Kaycee whimpered.
She couldn't imagine... Yes, she could. It'd taken her a long time to get over Doug, what he'd done to her, and what she'd done. Actually, she wasn't fully over it. She'd never be. But dealing with it would get better over time. "I'm going to go talk to Miller." She had to.
"You do that."
From the refrigerator, Kaycee poured a glass of lemonade to carry along in offering.
Maree grasped her hand and gave it a squeeze as she passed the table.
"Thank you, Maree." She leaned over and hugged the woman.
Outside, she found Miller in the barn. He worked on a tractor engine. Worriedly, she moistened her lips.
He kept his left arm close to his body. But it wasn't in a sling like it was supposed to be. The man wasn't taking care of himself. She'd have to put a stop to that.
He straightened at her approach. Tired lines etched across his face. Concern, love tugged at her heart.
"G'day, Native." When she reached his side, she smiled. "I've bought you a drink."
"G'day, Yank." The smile wasn't returned. His tired eyes regarded her as he took the glass. "Thanks."
"Is the shoulder paining you terribly?"
"Nope." A long swallow worked its way down his throat.
"That's good to hear." Nervously, she folded her arms. She was about to put herself out there for him once more. What if Maree was wrong? He could have come after her out of guilt... No. He'd come after her out of love and nothing less. "I was thinking..." On a breath, she started over. "It was so nice up north. So peaceful. I'd like to see it again."
"Whatever you want." Using the glass, he pushed his hat back. "I'll take you back up there."
Whatever you want...
Toes curled in delight, she bounced a space. That wasn't the first time he'd used those exact words. While they'd been up north, he'd said the same thing. And since they'd gotten to the station...
Whatever you want...
For some men words didn't come easy. Men handled emotions differently than how women dealt with theirs. And Miller was a man of fewer words than most.
He had given her so many great memories. And had she asked, he'd have given her others.
Whatever you want.
Even now she knew the exact moment she'd gone from sheila to luv in his eyes. If she'd asked him to stay with her back in Alice he would have. Without a doubt she knew that.
Miller had loved her for a long time. Had been in love with her. He just hadn't said the words aloud yet. But they were no longer important. Because actions spoke louder than words.
Gently, she took the almost empty glass from him, so she could hold his hand. "I have lots of wants, Miller. Lots and lots of wants." She urged him to walk along with her. "The first want I have is..." Walking backward, she grinned. "I want you to take a nap with me."
"Why'd we come in through the back?" Miller looked puzzled after they entered his room from the glass doors.
"Because I wanted to." She hadn't wanted Maree to know she was about to seduce her son. "And you said whatever I want."
"Eh, I did."
"Here, finish this drink and sit on the bed so I can take your boots off."
He took the glass with an unsteady hand. "Luv, what's going on?"
"Hm, are you asking for details?" She led him to the bed where he sat. "Are you interested in a little conversation?" Through her eye lashes, she peeked up at him as she removed his first boot and sock. He'd been quiet even for him since the day at the hospital. He'd been avoiding her while he blamed himself.
No more.
"Kaycee..."
"How about I do the talking?" The second boot and sock quickly joined the first. She smiled. "I've always got lots to say. But first we need to get you into bed."
"Kaycee, I...."
"Hush." From the position on her knees, she set about unbuttoning his shirt. "You're not being a good patient arguing with your nurse this way."
He swallowed.
Done with the task, she eased the shirt from his shoulders and arms. "I'm so, so sorry you were hurt." Her lips trembled at the sight of the two wounds. Already they were drying out. She couldn't look at his back where the exit wounds would be.
"No, there's..." He struggled to get his shirt up, but she hurried to straddle his lap.
"Hush." She cupped his face in her hands. "I've got a lot to say."
"I'm the one who has a lot that should be said." His big, delicious body trembled.
"I've got a lot of wants I need you to fulfill."
Blue eyes as true as the Australian sky darkened.
"Now, be a good patient and let me tuck you in."
His temple brushed hers before he straightened. She slid off to allow him to stand so she could help him remove his jeans. To her delight, his cock sprang free.
"I can't stop what you do to me." His voice was rough, his accent heavy. The admission had a wealth of meaning. Did he mean his body's reaction to her? Or did he mean he wouldn't stop her if she wanted to leave? Leaving him would cause him pain, but he wouldn't prevent her from going.
Whatever you want.
Sidestepping around him, she lowered the sheet and light blanket on his bed. "I want you to wear the sling." From now on she'd make sure he took care of himself. She moved away to get it from the dresser. Miller sat still as she put it on his hurt shoulder. "I want you to lie down now."
His broad chest hummed with a groan, but he did as she wished. He settled into the middle of the bed where he preferred to sleep. Her arousal heightened by admiring his big muscular body. She loved the broad expanse of his chest. The hair across it that tapered down along with his hips. And his cock...it was yummy the way it shot up from his body.
Slowly, she stripped from her own boots and clothing. All the while, she kept her gaze locked with his.
"I want to be loved." Breasts dangling, she crawled up his body to straddle his hips.
"Kaycee, I..."
Quickly, she pressed her finger tips to his mouth.
His thick cock lay rigid between them.
"I want to be in love. A ridiculously, consuming, I-can't-live-without-you kind of love." She leaned over, doing her best not to press on his injuries. "Think you can give me that want?" She smiled. "A one word answer will be fine."
"Eh, I can."
She watched his throat work. "I have other wants. I wonder if you'd be interested in giving them to me." Ever so slowly, she rocked the slick folds of her pussy along his rigid length.
Miller sat up, causing her to gasp. "Any way I can." His teeth clenched. "Anything at all."
"I want to have a little girl..."
His groan was one of longing.
"I want to name her Ginger Maree. I think it's a pretty name." She cradled his face. "But you should know, I'd planned to name..."
"I know all about what happened." With a shift of his head, he kissed her hand. "I'm so bloody sorry..."
"Hush. You've nothing to be sorry for." Kaycee pressed her lips to his as she took his lower lip into her mouth and kissed it. "Nothing at all."
"Ginger Maree is a good name." Again, his throat worked. "Kaycee, I'll give anything you want. Anything I can. I swear it."
"Thank you, but first I've more wants that you should hear." She rocked her pussy to rub her clit along his hot cock. "I want to take a year or two to get to know everything about you. I want to have lots and lots of time to make love with you."
He gulped for air. His jaw clenched. Emotion showed in every line of his face. In his darkened gaze.
"And I want you to marry me. I want you to make an honest woman of me." She smiled, before kissing him once more. "I want to stay here with you."
"Eh, I can do all that." His eyes closed on a shudder. His hips arched. "Anything you want, Kaycee. I swear I'll give it to you. I'll never hurt you again."
"I know." Her lips hovered over his. "I know. Now, I want to make slow love to you. Like this." Over and over, she slid back and forth along his throbbing muscle. "I'll be gentle so your shoulder and arm don't get jarred."
"Oh, fuck, Kaycee." He grabbed her left hip. "I..."
"I know you love me." Pleasure swirling in her depths, she clasped his face.
"Eh, fiercely I do."
"That's all I really want."
Davenport, Iowa
Seven months later
"I need your bloody shirt." Miller growled at whichever brother would stop snickering long enough to pay attention.
Ethan and Cohen looked at one another.
Cohen patted his own chest. "Uh, M, you think you'd fit in one of our shirts?"
"Now Co can borrow one of my shirts." Ethan shrugged. "But you? Remember Dad's build that neither of us got?"
Miller pinched his nose. Bloody fuck. He'd never been this nervous in his life. "Find Ace. We're about the same size." They were. It was queer how only Ace and he had gotten their fathers' broad, shithouse-like builds. "Or Paul." Eh, Paul might be a good match in size.
Wearing a grin, Co wandered off.
"You're holding up better than I thought you would." Ethan clasped his shoulder good-naturedly.
"I think I'm going to have a bloody heart attack." He wiped the sweat from his forehead once more. "I really need to see Kaycee."
"Listen, how many times do I have to tell you? She's just down the hall as nervous as you are. De says the Yank keeps needing to piss."
Miller chuckled, only to sober. "I need to see her, mate." He needed to be sure she'd... He forced out a breath. Kaycee loved him. He just didn't think he'd ever get used to it.
"I'll try to smuggle you in to see her."
Ace intruded. "What's this about a shirt?"
"I need your bloody shirt." He set about removing his tux jacket and the shirt underneath. The dress shirt had become soaked with sweat as had the T-shirt beneath it. He striped to his bare chest.
"Huh?"
"Trade me shirts."
"Are you shitting me?"
"No." Miller gave his cousin a hard look. "We're the same size, and I'm sweating bullets."
Ace took the shirts Miller passed him at arm's length. "Do you think I'm going to be able to pick up a Yank wearing these?" He arched a brow.
"This is bloody excellent." Cohen chuckled.
"All of Kaycee's family and friends are here." Miller growled. "Stay away from the sheilas." He could imagine the tales the mate would spin to get one of them into bed.
"There are some real lookers out there."
"Mate, have a heart." Ethan rocked back on his heels. "Remember, when it's your turn to claim a missus, we'll be there to support you."
"As if I'd ever..." Ace looked offended. "Hell, I can't believe I'm doing this." He passed over his coat and removed his tie. "Another mate's shirt."
"Thanks a heap." Miller held on to the new dress shirt and hung the dry T-shirt over a shoulder. It wouldn't hurt to wait a few before putting them on. Maybe he'd stop sweating.
There was a soft knock at the door. "Miller?"
He barged through his family to get to the door.
"Wait." Ethan stopped him. "Kaycee's on the other side."
"I know." Did his brother think he'd turned into an idiot?
"Well, don't open the door." Ethan waved to Co and Ace. "Come on, let's give them a minute." All three squeezed out.
"Kaycee?"
"Yes." She reached a hand in the crack of the door and handed him what looked to be a piece of cloth. "Put this on. So, you can't see me."
Hands shaking, he laid the shirt down and did as she wanted. "All right, my eyes are covered." In the dark, he waited.
The door opened and closed. "Abbey's keeping watch for five minutes."
He grunted.
"That girl's a thief." Amusement rang clear in her voice. "She charged me ten bucks. I needed to see you." She stopped in front of him. The soft scent she wore teased him. Arousal stirred hot in his groin. "Why's your shirt off? Why was Ace's undone?"
"I'm bloody nervous." He balled his hands. "I'm sweating bullets. Christ, I'm glad I only have to marry once."
"I'm nervous too." Kaycee wrapped her arms around his middle. "I worry I'll break a heel. I'm worried my hair won't stay up during the reception."
"I'm worried I'll forget my bloody vows." With shaking hands, he grasped onto her shoulders. The soft dress caught on the calluses on his hands.
Her laugh came gentle and quick. "You won't forget them. They're so beautiful."
"Like a birdie needs the sky." With a thumb, he traced the outline of her mouth. "I need you."
"Oh, God don't make me cry right now." Her voice wavered. "I'll have to touch up my make-up."
"All right." He grinned. "I'll shut up. No crying today."
Warm lips brushed his mouth. "I'm so glad your family all decided to attend."
They'd all showed up in Iowa except his cousins Lee and Sly. Lee hadn't wanted to cause any tension during the activities. No amount of talking had changed Lee's mind. Still, some of the family was under strain from having Lee back on his feet and doing his share of the work on the station. Uncle Aaron was never going to forgive Lee. And Sly had refused, stating someone needed to stay behind and watch over the animals. It'd been BS, but he'd gotten tired of trying to change the mate's mind.
"I guess I'd better get back before Mom goes in search of me." She sighed. Her hands clung to his shoulders.
"Eh, I guess you'd better."
"I just wanted to give you a last..."
"None of that, Yank." He thrust his needy prick against her. "Or, you'll spend our honeymoon tied down because of insubordination."
"Oh, that sounds so, so tempting." Her nails racked over his nipples as she stepped back.
"Kaycee?" He stopped her. He could tell by the sound of her heels.
"Hmm." As if reading his mind, she puckered her lips up and blew him a noisy kiss. "I love you."
The door opened and closed.
I love you too.
About the Author
To learn more about Melissa Lopez, please visit www.melissa-lopez.com. Send an email to Mel at mel@melissa-lopez.com or join her Yahoo! group to join in the fun with other readers as well as Mel! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/From\_Alpha\_To\_Omega
Look for these titles by Melissa Lopez
Now Available:
The Thorns
Boomerang Love
Riptide Love
Netherworld
Dark Sentinel
Dark Chance
Caught in love's undertow...
Riptide Love
© 2008 Melissa Lopez
The Thorns, Book 2
Rescue swimmer Ethan Thorn is used to pulling people from the swirl of the ocean, but he never expected to pull a woman straight out of his past. Denae Button was the first woman who meant more to him than great sex, until he realized she was his brother's fiancée. Now the one woman he hoped never to see again is back---with the three-year-old son he never knew he had.
Denae knows she's made her share of mistakes, especially when it comes to the Thorn brothers. Royally screwed up by her religious-zealot parents, now she just wants to be a good mother. She doesn't want anything to do with Ethan---and she knows the feeling is mutual---but she can't deny him a chance to know his son. Even if facing the Thorn family means confronting a past she'd rather leave behind.
A resurging riptide of love drags Ethan and Denae back into each other's arms. But exposing the secrets that nearly destroyed the Thorn family could tear them apart for good.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Riptide Love:
Nate grew quiet, but every once in a while he opened his eyes, peeking. A few minutes later, De surprised them both by joining them.
With her sexy legs bare, she stepped over his outstretched legs and climbed into the small bed with Nate. The boy rolled over to press his face into De's body.
They made a nice picture.
It was a few minutes before De lifted up partway. "He's asleep." She eased over her son to stretch a foot to the floor. When her second foot touched down, he caught her hand in his. Though he acted to help her over him, he wanted to drag her down to the floor with him.
A thrill rolled though his bloodstream as the touch lingered. His prick hardened. Pressed against the confines of his pants.
"Oh." She let out a gasp alerting him to the fact she felt the heat between them.
He had trouble catching his own breath. It'd been like this for them before... Instant combustion.
Steady once more, De jerked back. "Sorry about that." She wiped her hand on the long T-shirt she wore. "Well, he's asleep for the night."
"Yeah." Enjoying the quick rise and fall of her breasts, he pushed to his feet.
"Well, I guess we'll see you tomorrow then?"
"Eh, you bet."
De's arms folded under her breasts. Watching her nipples pebble caused arousal to tingle in his balls. Sweat coated his palms. It'd been a while since he'd fucked. Maybe that was the deal with his increased reactions to her. It had to be.
Still he wanted to know. Needed to know. And no time like the present to find out. Using two fingers, he reached out and caressed the pulse in her graceful neck and slowly ran them down along the vee in her night shirt.
His fingers slid across to drag over a single nipple.
On a moan, her hips arched, her breasts thrust forward.
He stepped into her space to press his stiff prick into her.
De whimpered.
He inhaled roughly, enjoying the feel of her along his body.
Christ, she smelled good. Damn good. He inhaled again. Nuzzling her temple, his mouth buzzed a kiss. He shifted impossibly closer. Lips trailed a line of kisses to her mouth. Greedily he played over her lips. He groaned at the feel of her mouth under his as she opened for him. Her sweetness made him drink. His thirst for her shuddered through him.
It's been too damn long.
The fire for her that'd stayed kindled nearly brought him to his knees at the feel of her hands on his chest.
The craving, the yearning he'd always had for her erupted on a groan. He deepened the kiss. His tongue and lips explored, teased hers. His rigid prick throbbed in need.
It's been too damn long.
"I missed you, De." He relished her sweet taste.
The soft sounds she made caught in his mouth. His balls drew up in warning.
"I missed you so damn bad." No one had ever compared to her. Not ever. He wanted her back. What she'd done to him. The way she'd made him feel.
Groaning, he slid a hand down her body to cup her hip. He pressed his hard prick into her.
Focus, mate. Ignore your own growing need for release.
He eased back to allow his hand to trail under the nightshirt she wore. Her panties were wet to his touch.
She gasped into his mouth.
"I missed you, luv."
De whimpered on an arch of her hips.
His free hand caught the back of her neck to keep her anchored to him. Her pussy was hot as he worked her clit through the cloth.
With a turn of her head, she broke the kiss off. "Ethan." Her hand pushed at his chest.
He stilled. A new type of tension sank into his muscles.
Nervously she pressed her hand over the heartbeat in her neck. "Ethan..."
"Yeah?" He eased back to look into her gaze.
"I've already experienced this...move of seduction." She motioned between them. "And I have the proof to show it."
Cold water washed over him, through him. What the hell had come over him? Trying to seduce De? What was he thinking? He hadn't. Unless it was with the head below his waistline.
No. It'd been more than his prick thinking. She'd been hot for him too. He'd felt it. But he'd abandoned her. Hell, he'd not only abandoned her... She'd never been his. She'd belonged to his brother. A bloody fine mate. A second chance wasn't something he deserved. Guilt and a rising tide of insecurity caused him to step away to give her space.
"I have to be at work early tomorrow." She led the way from the bedroom to the entryway. "You're welcome to visit Nate. We'll be here by five most days. But...but..." Her arms went back under her arms. "I'm a mother, and the last thing I want to do is become involved with a player again."
Ethan's teeth clenched. He hadn't been a player since she'd walked out his door.
"What we had was a fun time..."
Fun time? His arse. She'd bloody well had the time of her life. He'd made sure of that. Hell, what they'd shared those two weeks had been the best of his bloody life...
She turned away from him to pull the door open. "It was no more than sex."
Only sex? He'd thought he'd suffocate from wanting her. Even after he'd tried to forget her. De had gotten into his system. She'd affected his life just as his calling for a career as a rescue swimmer had.
When she faced him, her face held tight lines. "Let's stick to being friends for Nate's sake."
Muscles along his back bunched. Rejection wasn't something he'd ever experienced before. She'd just rejected him and he disliked it. Disliked being compared to the man he once was.
"Sure, for Nate." He forced a smile. "Goodnight, sheila. I'll see you both tomorrow."
"Hooroo." She closed the door before he left the steps.
Christ. What had gotten into him? And why did he want to prove he'd changed?
Love...or friendship? Does she really have to choose?
Only Tyler
© 2009 Jess Dee
Circle of Friends, Book 1
Katelyn Rosewood is facing a moral dilemma, one that's six-foot-two, sexy as sin---and her fiancé's best friend. Katie spent a lot of time getting over Tyler Bonnard, but now that he's back in Sydney, he's turning her carefully reconstructed world upside down.
Her relationship with Steve Sommers may be short on heat and desire, but after Tyler left her two years before, she'll take security and solid friendship over wild passion any day. Except Tyler seems to have a good---if outrageous---explanation for why he's returned.
After a tragic family secret tore him out of Katie's life, Tyler is glad to be back with his two best friends. But one thing is out of place: Katie's in the wrong man's arms. And if her reaction to his return is any indication, she's not quite over him. Which could mean hope for Tyler, heartbreak for Steve...
And another devastating loss for Katie, who must choose between the man to whom she's committed her future, and the man who still holds her heart.
Warning: Keep a tissue or two handy while reading this book. While it does contain a few steamy love scenes, the rest of the story might just make you cry.
Enjoy the following excerpt for Only Tyler:
She had no clear recollection of leaving the theater. No knowledge of how she got in the elevator leading up to the hotel rooms. All she knew was that when she and Tyler were safely ensconced in the first car free of other people, she was finally, finally, back in his arms.
His kiss almost stopped her heart. And when it finally began to beat again, when she finally realized she'd pass out if she didn't force air into her lungs and blood into her arteries, it was to an unsteady, uneven rhythm.
He didn't just kiss with his mouth, he kissed with his whole body, melding her against him, into him, making them one. As his tongue stole between her lips, scorching her mouth, she swore she saw stars.
She was wrapped in his arms, exactly where she wanted to be. Exactly where she belonged.
For the second time that evening, he placed his hand on her lower back. This time though, there was nothing subtle about his touch. He curved her hips into his, and her world stood still. He was hard. His erection pressed against her lower belly, burning through her dress.
The impact was electric. Her breasts tightened and sparks ignited between her legs. She moaned into his mouth.
He pulled his face away to stare at her. His eyes, though flecked with gold, were so dark they were bottomless pools of desire. He tried to speak, tried to say something, but couldn't. Instead he took her mouth again in a kiss so carnal, so spicy, her knees threatened to give in.
When the lift opened to empty them on Tyler's floor, he refused to break contact. He lifted her in his arms, carrying her effortlessly down the corridor.
Though her hands shook, she fiddled with the buttons of his shirt, starting at the top and making her way slowly down. With each button that popped open, she nuzzled into his chest, kissing the exposed flesh. The flesh she'd loved so well. So thoroughly.
The third button revealed a nipple, small, and masculine, and hard. She placed her lips around it and sucked gently.
"Katie," he rasped.
He'd stopped walking and now stood beside a door.
"Is this your room?" Forget throaty. Her voice was almost nonexistent. God, she needed him so bad. Needed to fill the emptiness in her loins.
"Yes..." His voice broke as she ran her tongue over the hard nipple a second time.
"Open the door. Now. I need to feel you moving inside me." Only Ty could give her what she needed. Only Tyler.
How he managed to rummage around in his pocket, remove his key card and get the door open, was beyond her---but then most everything was beyond her at that moment. The only thing she could comprehend was her fierce need to consume Tyler Bonnard, whole.
Her body was made of liquid heat. When Tyler set her on her feet, inched the strap of her dress over her shoulder, exposing her breast, and took her nipple in his mouth, she swore she saw steam smoldering between her flesh and his lips.
The impact of his mouth on her nipple was dizzying. The world spun. The sun dipped and rose. Her head dropped back, and she moaned. Only Tyler. He was the only man who ever made her feel like this.
And then her mobile phone rang. The sound shrill and invasive.
She froze.
"Ignore it," Tyler growled as he grazed her breast with his teeth.
She couldn't.
"It'll stop in a minute." He slipped the second strap over her shoulder, revealing her other breast. As his hot lips covered her nipple, she listened to the persistent trill of the phone.
Until it stopped.
She relaxed and brought her attention back to Tyler. Her breasts were cupped in his hands. His mouth was an inch away from hers.
"Sweet, sweet Katie. I never forgot you. Never forgot this." His lids were hooded and his voice low. "I never for one minute stopped loving you."
It was impossible to tell who kissed whom, but their mouths joined together again, and Katie's toes curled from the pleasure his lips gave her.
Tyler still loved her.
"I am so sorry I left you, so sorry I caused you pain. It was the last thing I wanted. Ever."
She ran her hand over his hip. Slid her fingers along the hard length of his cock. He jerked into her touch, filling her palm and moaned.
God, she held him again. Felt his excitement and his arousal. It matched the wet heat between her legs perfectly.
His pants were a restrictive barrier, a concrete wall between them, and she lowered her other hand to grasp the buckle of his belt. She needed to feel his naked flesh. Needed to feel the pulsing heat of his cock. Slowly, she slid the belt through the buckle and pushed it out of the way. She twisted his button through the hole and then eased the zip over his solid bulge.
So close. She shoved the flaps aside and touched the waistband of his undies.
Tyler hummed low in his throat.
She pushed at the elastic, felt the swollen tip of his penis under her fingertips and groaned into his mouth.
And then his phone rang.
And rang.
And rang.
She broke the kiss, pulling away as reality crashed in on their rapture.
"It's Steve," Tyler said unnecessarily. One minute before desire had darkened his eyes. Now guilt shadowed them.
Self-loathing filled her. She looked down at her naked chest.
"It's Steve," he said again and took a step away from her.
Her breasts heaved, wet and glistening from Tyler's mouth. Her dress hung around the belt she'd cinched in at the waist. She swallowed hard as she realized what she'd done. "He's trying to find us. He...he said if he finished at a reasonable hour he'd join us for a drink."
What kind of filthy worm was she, seducing her fiancé's best friend? Demanding he sleep with her. In that instant she despised herself, and she despised Tyler, for what they'd just done to the one man who under threat of death would never harm them. He was her rock, her support, her mate. Steve was the man she was soon to marry.
A wave of nausea nearly bowled her over. How could she? How could they?
She stared at Tyler. He breathed heavily and ran a tense hand over his clenched jaw. His eyes were clouded with desire, doubt and regret. His shirt hung open around his waist, and pearly drops of moisture glistened on the head of his cock. Even amid her rush of self-hatred, the pull to go to him was intense, almost magnetic. The impulse to touch him again, to deny their wrongdoing, was potent.
"I have to go." She pulled her dress up, awkwardly pushing her arms through the straps. "I...I'm sorry. This shouldn't have happened." She searched blindly for her purse and found it by the door. Then she turned and looked at Tyler's tortured face.
He was as disturbed by Steve's call as she was. As shaken.
Briefly she considered dropping to her knees and licking the sinful pre-come off his dick. "Steve is your friend," she said thickly. "He's my fiancé."
He didn't argue. He simply fastened his pants and buckled his belt.
Yanking the door open, she walked as fast as her legs would carry her, down the corridor and to the lifts, hating herself more with every step she took. She'd gotten maybe ten meters down the passageway when she heard the footsteps.
She walked faster.
It didn't help. He was behind her. His hands on her hips, compelling her to slow down.
She stopped and whispered, "Tyler, don't."
He didn't say a word. He just pulled her back against him, and let his erection nestle into her butt. His chest cushioned her shoulders. God, she wanted to melt into him. Wanted to stay in his arms forever. Wanted to feel him buried in her waiting heat.
"Please. Let me go."
It was just a sexy game. Then things went south...
One on One
© 2009 Cathryn Fox
Taylor Dayton has been holding back a secret from her best friend, firefighter Christian Bain: he's the only man who can douse the flames inside her. It's time he noticed her as more than an ice cream and movie pal. What better way to melt the blinders from his eyes than propose an irresistibly sexy grooming session?
Christian can hardly believe the woman from his erotic dreams has just issued a siren call no red-blooded male can resist. He'll give her what she wants, and when he's done with her, she'll need more than a fire hose to cool her down.
When their little game leads them to discover their secret fetishes and fantasies, they realize that this sexy seduction is no longer just a game.
This time, it's for keeps.
Warning: Hot sex in creative places, may leave reader salivating for more...
Enjoy the following excerpt for One on One:
Grabbing his keys, he walked to the door, pulled it open and, much to his surprise and delight, came face to face with the star of his erotic dreams.
Poised to knock, Taylor titled her chin. Gorgeous green eyes lit up when they met his. She angled her head, dropped her hand and shot him a playful glance. "I didn't realize you were psychic."
He grinned, letting his gaze race over her body. "I bet you didn't know about my x-ray vision either."
Chuckling, she looked past his shoulder and scanned his apartment. "I'm not catching you at a bad time, am I?"
"No. I was just heading down to the station for a little one on one." Although he'd much prefer a little one on one with her. When her lips curled down in a frown, Christian cupped her elbow and hauled her inside. "What is it?"
"If you're busy---"
"I'm not busy. Want to come in and watch a movie? I just picked up a new pint of ice cream," he added, hoping to sweeten the deal with chocolate and sugar. Okay, okay, so he could have at least tried to mask his enthusiasm a little.
She rolled on the balls of her feet, the way she always did when she had something on her mind. "Actually, I was wondering if you could help me out."
When her voice took on a serous edge, his grin dissolved. "Of course. Anything, anytime. You know that."
"I knew I could count on you." She slipped her bag from her shoulder and dropped it on the floor.
Trying for casual he said, "Hey, what are friends for?" He guided her into the living room and plunked himself down on the sofa.
"Exactly. That's why I came to you. Only a real friend could help me with my dilemma."
"Dilemma?" He patted the seat beside him, concern gnawing at his insides.
She didn't sit next to him, like usual. Instead she released the top button on her blouse and positioned herself directly in front of him.
His eyes strayed to her chest, carefully watching the way she moved with innocent sensuality. When he got a flash of tanned skin, he licked his lips with longing. He studied her body language a moment longer and noted that she seemed a little different tonight, a little sexier, a little edgier, and a whole lot wilder.
Her finger played over the next button, fueling his lust and deepening his need for her. For a split second he envisioned himself disrobing her, his hands racing over her silky smooth skin, his lips following closely behind. Temptation to climb to his feet and do just that swamped him, driving him to distraction.
Berating his wayward thoughts, he forced his gaze back to her face and commanded himself to redirect his thoughts. Obviously this was not the time to be fantasizing about her. She had something on her mind and needed to talk.
He shifted to hide his inflated body part. "What is it, Taylor?"
"You see, lately men haven't been noticing me and since we're friends," she said, stopping to point at him, "and you're a guy, I was hoping I could ask your advice on something."
He noted the way she emphasized the word friends---again. Okay, he got it. He might be a little dense at times, but he wasn't stupid for Christ's sake. They were friends. Nothing more. He got it.
"Ask away."
She released the second button on her blouse, then the third and fourth, affording him a view of her creamy cleavage. When she undid the fifth and final button---yes, he was counting---air left his lungs in a loud whoosh. He sat there stock still, watching her peel off her top to reveal the most gorgeous set of breasts he'd ever had the pleasure of viewing.
"You see, Christian. I need an honest male opinion." She cupped her breasts. "Do you think these are too small? Too big? Is there anything about them that would turn a man off?"
Holy. Fuck.
After a long silent moment, she asked, "Christian, did you hear me?"
"I...uh...no."
"No what?"
He let his mind wander, imagining what it would be like to draw one of those tight pink buds into his mouth. To suck, lick, nibble and nip until she begged for mercy. But oh no, he wouldn't stop there. There'd be no mercy for this sexy little siren. No fucking way. She'd pay dearly for this sweet torture. He'd make her beg him to fuck her and once he had her exactly where he wanted her, writhing beneath him like a wild wanton woman, he'd make her come all over him, again and again.
"Christian?" Her voice interrupted his musings and pulled him back.
With his blood rushing south, it became more and more difficult to form a coherent sentence. He coughed and drew a fueling breath. "I think they're perfect, Taylor."
She angled herself sideways to catch her reflection in his big-screen TV. She stroked the underside of her breasts and brushed her thumbs over her rosy nipples, making them swell and darken. His body responded with a shudder.
"I thought they were pretty good too, but just wanted to make sure." Her voice sounded husky, sensual and resonated through him. As lust bombarded his body, his cock spasmed with pleasure, clamoring for Taylor's undivided attention.
Christian shifted and adjusted his raging erection, aching to remedy his longings. Giving him no reprieve, Taylor unhooked the button on her jeans, and slowly, seductively pulled them down her legs.
Sweet Mother of God!
Casually, like they undressed in front of each other every fucking day, she kicked her pants away and stood before him in nothing more than a sexy pair of white lace panties.
He almost sobbed.
"Now be honest, Christian. Do I have any grotesque flaws? Take your time looking. No hurry." She slowly turned in a circle giving him a view from all angles. "I really want to know if there is something about me that men find unattractive."
His mouth watered as he concentrated on his breathing. Heck, put a sexy, half-dressed woman in front of him and it reduced him to Pavlov's dog. His cock began throbbing and pulsing. He clenched and unclenched his fingers as he admired her luscious body.
"Do you think my ass is perky enough? Here, touch it." She shimmied closer, grabbed his hand, and put it on her hot little ass cheek. "Give it a squeeze and tell me what you think." Christian nearly shot a load off right there on the spot as he palmed her lush backside.
Taylor turned her attention to her legs and arched a brow. "Do you think they're long enough?" Before he had time to answer, she continued, "How about my hips?" She ran her hands over her voluptuous contours, coming perilously close to her pussy. A tremor moved through him as her slow seduction nearly shut down his brain. "Do you think they're too curvy?"
Barely able to reply, he shook his head. "Perfect," was all he managed to choke out.
Her brow crinkled and she arched her back, tipping her ass up in the air to check out it out in the TV screen. Undaunted, she pressed on, "Are you sure? You see, not only have men neglected to notice me lately, the ones I have gone out with haven't bothered to call again. So I thought maybe I wasn't that physically appealing."
"Perfect," he muttered again, noting how easily she'd reduced his vocabulary to one single word.
With that her eyes lit, and she leaned in to hug him. "Thanks. It's so great to have an honest friend like you."
Christian could no longer hear her speaking. Delirious with want, his entire focus was drawn to her breasts, noticing the way her hard nipples were hovering only inches from his mouth.
"Is that everything?" His voice was barely recognizable. Fuck, he needed to get her back into her clothes, and out of his apartment so he could abuse the hell out of his rock-hard cock.
"One more thing." She crossed the room to grab her tote bag. She pulled out a magazine, flipped through the pages and handed it to him. "I'm looking for a man's perspective on this. Which style do you find most appealing?"
As he glanced down at the article on how to style your pubic hair, Taylor went to work on removing her panties.
Ahhh, Jesus.
"You see, Christian. Tonight I plan on heading over to The Hose and turning heads once and for all." She shot him a mischievous look. "There will be no more overlooking Taylor Dayton. And when I take a guy back to my place, I plan on looking and acting so hot and sexy, he'll come begging me for more."
Christian's nostrils flared, his cock pulsed and thickened to the point of pain. His blood pressure soared. Knowing he was well past the point of vocalizing anything intelligent, he said, "It's always good to have a plan." His gaze shot back and forth between her sweet cunt and the sexy pictures in the article.
She tapped the page. "I was thinking about going with the landing strip." Taylor widened her legs, her fingers tangling in her silky auburn hair. "What do you think?"
The magazine fell from his fingers. He jumped to his feet. The woman was a goddamn sadist and there was only so much sweet torture a man could take.
"Yeah, I...uh...think the landing strip would look good on you," he muttered. He began to gather her clothes. Fuck, he needed to get her out of there before he tore off his pants, bent her over the sofa and sank his cock all the way up inside her. How was that for a real friend...
Eyes wide and innocent she said, "The only problem is, I'm out of shaving cream, and to be honest with you, I know I'd probably mess it up, or worse yet, cut myself." She gave an edgy chuckle and stuck her calf out for his inspection. "You've seen the mess I've made of my legs in the past. So I was wondering..." The suggestive edge in her voice gained his attention.
Jesus H. Christ, was the little vixen toying with him? Seducing him?
With renewed interest, he pitched his voice low and met her gaze straight on. "Wondering what?"
"If you could shave me."
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