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  “Good point,” he gritted out, his hands fisting against the sheets. “You’re gonna be the death of me, woman.”

  “But what a way to go, right? Hmm. Where should I start?”

  “Damn, Mel. Pick a spot. You’re making me nuts here.”

  Grinning broadly, she bent low and pressed her mouth to a plot of skin above his right knee while her fingers did a wicked little dance along his thighs. Sending her gaze up the length of his body, she fixated on his fully erect cock and felt her mouth water at the thought of tasting him. Recalling that naughty moment in her kitchen, she knew turnabout was fair play. He’d almost brought her to her knees. Could she do any less? No, any Texas girl worth her salt could give as good as she got and it was long past time to take some control around here. Mel worked him over with her teeth and tongue, nibbling at T’s thighs until his hips bucked against the bed. His frustration, his need was like a living thing and Mel’s pussy creamed as it reached out to her, filling her with a sense of her own power as a woman. Compelled to find relief, a port in the storm, she straddled one of his legs and rubbed herself against that hot flesh as she fisted her hand around the base of his cock.

  T buried the fingers of one hand in her hair. The other hand covered hers as she traced the length of his erection. A drop of cum glistened from the slit and, needing to taste him, she dipped her tongue over it to collect that bit of salty moisture. T’s low, ragged groan prodded her to continue the exploration so as she writhed against his muscular leg, she lowered her mouth, taking just the head to suck and nibble. Her fingers mingling with his over the base of his cock, Mel lost track of where he began and she ended and then finally in a moment of determination, she moved his hand away, giving herself full control of his pleasure. T settled his hand on the back of her neck, kneading her there as she plied his heavy balls with her mouth and stroked upward with her tongue. All that hard length felt like satin against her tongue. Hunger blasted through her body as her own intense passion rose. Giving in to the need, Mel lowered her mouth over his cock, taking him deep. Sucking lightly, then strongly, alternating the pulling action of her mouth, she tasted the strength and passion of him utterly blown away by his savage response. T’s hips arched to meet her every stroke and when she cupped his tightly drawn balls in the palm of her hand to lightly squeeze, a raw cry broke from his throat.

  “God! Mel! That’s good, darlin’. So fucking good.”

  For endless moments she sucked his cock, loving his response. When T went still, she realized he was reaching the end of his tether and fully expecting him to come in her mouth, she waited for it. But that’s not what happened. T gripped her under her arms and, giving her a gentle tug, drew her avid mouth from his erection. “Come up here, darlin’. I’m damn sure not going to come without you.”

  Unable to argue, Mel crawled up his big body until she straddled his waist. When she came up onto her knees, she felt T’s hot gaze move over her like a physical touch bringing fresh cream to her pussy. The need of his touch fairly staggered her and then finally, finally, he reached out to gather up the moisture from her juicy cunt. Her voice broke over a cry when T plunged his fingers deep into her core. Shivering on the edge, she could only gasp as he finger-fucked her into a kind of crazy, wildness that was uncommon in her experience with men and sex.

  “Have to feel your nipples, Melanie. They are so pretty and hard.” T followed his words with action, by placing his damp fingers over her nipples to pluck and tease.

  Need wound its way through her belly, coiling tightly, and pleasure zipped over her flesh until she could no longer fight the raging demands of her body. T reached out, grabbed a condom and started to cover himself but Mel stopped him. She wanted to do it herself. After slowly rolling the latex into place, she clasped his cock firmly by the base and then slid her wet flesh over the head of his erection. The sinuous movement wrenched a groan from T’s throat. She’d never felt sexier, never felt more powerful as a woman than she did at that moment. Giving up, giving in, she lowered herself by tiny increments, feeling T’s frustration mount in the quiver of his body. The second she took his thick stalk deeply and fully, T surprised her by sitting up to wrap his lips around one throbbing nipple.

  “T!”

  His only response was to suck powerfully at her nipple as he surged high into her body. Hanging on for dear life, there was nothing to do but fuck him, pleasing them both. Melanie gripped his back, fingers finding purchase on his flesh as she rode him. Up, down, slowly then faster. Her pulse roared in tandem with each ragged breath she expelled. Rotating her clit against him and milking his cock caused sweet spasms to surge through her core. T released her nipple to bury his face in the sensitive notch between her shoulder and neck. His teeth bit gently, nibbling there until she offered it freely, her head lolling back on her neck like the stem of a flower that had been broken. Too much. Too much. But still she wanted more. Then all at once everything within her seized on a slender point of pleasure. Mel caught it, held it and then finally let go as pleasure beat through her in ever-expanding waves. Hanging on for the ride, she pulsed around his cock and just when she felt the orgasm slow, T’s own climax kicked in. He stiffened for the space of a moment and impossibly Mel felt that overwhelming release surge again. Two? Oh. My. God. But questioning was ridiculous because it was real. Pleasure swept over her, a sinuous wave of emotion and lust that threatened to drag her under. Lost. She was lost. With a cry, of ecstasy she came, followed immediately by the man she would always love. He might not be here forever but he was here now. And now was all that mattered.

  Chapter Four

  The minute he and Melanie walked together through the door of the Willow Tree Café the next morning, every eye turned their way. T drew the Stetson from his head and, holding it loosely in one hand, settled his other at the small of Melanie’s back. When she looked back at him over her shoulder and smiled softly, his heart damn near melted. He’d left her place at the crack of dawn, hoping to avoid a bunch of gossip among Melanie’s neighbors. Most likely it was too late for all that. After the big show he’d put on that day in the gym, he figured everyone was already talking and speculating. That was okay with him but he didn’t want Mel hurt by wagging tongues. So he’d decided to head back to the ranch for a quick shower and change of clothes and an hour or two later, he picked Mel up for some breakfast. That nice steak dinner would have to wait.

  Greeted by the low murmur of diners and the clatter of plates and cups, they found an empty booth near the wall of wide windows and when Mel slid in, T didn’t hesitate but moved in beside her. Her eyes widened briefly but then she scooted a little bit to give him some room. T tossed his cowboy hat to the empty bench across from them and turned to her. “Think we’re causing a little bit of a stir, Miz Melanie.”

  Mel looked around the room, oblivious to the way the morning sunlight caught her hair, making it sizzle with color. “Jeez, ya think? Feel like I have horns or something. Guess it’s to be expected after that little stunt you pulled. I’m just thankful they weren’t peeking through my bedroom window last night. Suspect the sight might’ve singed their eyeballs.”

  Laughing, remembering the past night with renewed hunger, he reached out to squeeze her hand. Leaning close, he whispered in her ear. “Is that a complaint?”

  Mel shook her head, her cheeks coloring and eyes going dreamy. “No. It was wonderful but I still don’t trust that you won’t go hightailing out of town at the first hint of boredom. And believe me, there is lots of that to be found here in Delight. This is all just moving a little too fast, I think.”

  It felt as though a dozen pairs of eyes watched his every move but he didn’t give a hot damn. Staking yet another public claim, T tipped up her chin and pressed a kiss to her lips. “If it’s the last thing I do, I’ll convince you I’m serious about you and about staying put right here in Delight. You can’t tell me a thing about this town that I don’t already know, sweetheart. Believe me, I could use a slow-moving life after wha
t I found out west. It’s not all it’s cracked up to be, Melanie.” T released her and settled back when a waitress whom he didn’t recognize walked up to place a couple of menus, water and a small coffeepot on the table. Since both of them knew what they wanted, they quickly ordered and when the waitress poured their coffee, she took off, leaving them alone again. T tuned out the noise in the café and focused his gaze on Melanie. He took a sip of his black coffee then leaned back. “I know you find this hard to believe but I’m done with that old life, honey. Truth is, I met some really nice folks but more often than not, I was in a world I just didn’t understand.”

  “You were just a kid when you left,” she said, pouring a hefty dose of cream into her coffee. “You didn’t know anything but small towns and hard work. It had to be tough even imagining turning down such an offer. All I know is that I was at Texas Tech when you called to say you were leaving Delight and heading off for a job I couldn’t begin to understand. You said it was temporary and that you’d be home soon but soon never came.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  She laid her hand over his. “We were kids, T. It was a long time ago.”

  “You forgive me?”

  “Why wouldn’t I, honey?” The endearment swept over him like a prayer to settle in his heart. “I didn’t have a clue then what I wanted to do with my life. Why should you have been any different? I only know—”

  “What, Melanie? Talk to me.”

  Mel shook her head then opened her mouth to speak when Thelma Raymond walked up to grin broadly. Today she was wearing a tropical Hawaiian shirt and big-assed plastic parrots dangled from her ears. “Hey, you two! Look at you guys, getting reacquainted as if you’d never been apart. Lordy, T, I still remember the two of you dragging Main when you were just young sweethearts.” She clasped her hands over her chest and closed her eyes in remembered bliss. Finally she grinned at them. “It’s just so good to see things can always get back to where they belong. Melanie, are you heading over in a bit to help with the booths? It’s going to be a big weekend and there’s a lot to do.”

  T glanced at Melanie and watched her cheeks turn pink but she gamely mustered a smile. Everyone in town knew Miz Raymond meant well. She was just an enthusiastic person. “Sure. I’ll head down there right after we get a bite to eat. That okay?”

  “Need any help?” He’d been reared to ask those kinds of things. If a lady needed help it was just a part of his upbringing to make sure she got it. No true gentleman would do less. “I have to head out to the ranch to work with Ransom in a while but after that I’m all yours.”

  “That’s just wonderful, T. Thank you. We can use a strong man who wields a mean hammer.”

  T grinned. “I show nails no mercy, ma’am. Not a problem. Happy to help.”

  Thelma laughed but suddenly looked up when a lanky young man came sauntering up. The kid couldn’t have been older than eighteen. He wore a battered straw cowboy hat, tee shirt, jeans and a big belt buckle that proclaimed him to be a junior rodeo champ. “Ah, there you are, honey. T, this is my grandson, Jake. He has wanted to meet you since you rode into town. Jake, this is T Dobbs.”

  T and the young man shook hands just as the waitress showed up with their breakfast orders. Thelma and Jake stepped back to make room.

  Mel spoke up and invited them to sit. “Please join us, you two. Are you hungry? How about some coffee?”

  “Don’t mind if I do,” Thelma said as she and her grandson took up a place across the table. She turned to Jake. “Now, honey, you were wanting to ask T about his work. Get it done while I have my coffee.”

  The kid cleared his throat, looking as nervous as hell so T took pity on him. “What do you want to know, Jake?”

  “Well, sir, I was wondering how you got started in the movies and stuff. I think it sounds really cool.”

  T laughed. “Hate to burst your bubble but it’s not as great as you think. Hard, dangerous work and long hours. Lots of bumps and bruises along the way, too. Most recently I busted my knee up pretty badly and it required two surgeries.” He felt Mel’s rapt attention on him and the way her body went still beside him. “I’ve cracked and broken more ribs than I can remember. Busted my collarbone several time, too.”

  “That’s tough, man.” Jake murmured. “Is it true you were discovered at a rodeo? You see, I was thinkin’, I do lots of rodeo stuff. Maybe I could do that kind of work, too. I just graduated from high school and I don’t think college is something I want. Thought I should head out there and see if I could find work.”

  T nodded. “It’s true that I was discovered at the county rodeo that particular fall. I’d done nothing but ranch work all my life and I guess, like you, maybe I was a little restless.” He put his arm around Melanie and settled a hand on her shoulder. “This young lady was playing college basketball at Tech. Figured she’d be tied up with school for some time and what better opportunity for me to spread my wings a little.”

  Jake grinned. “Bet Ransom was plenty pissed about that. I wouldn’t want to make that man mad.”

  “Madder than a wet hen and that’s a fact. In the end, there wasn’t much he could do except wish me well and tell me the ranch would be waiting when I was sick of dicking around.” T instantly apologized to the ladies. “Sorry for that bad turn of phrase.”

  “Don’t you worry about that, young man,” Thelma said with a smile. “This is a plumb fascinating story.”

  T continued to talk with Jake and Thelma about his years as a stunt man and when his story was done, he gave Jake his phone number and told him to give him a call if he had more questions. Once they’d left the café, T turned his attention to his breakfast, noting that Melanie had done the same.

  “That’s the first time I’ve heard the whole story,” she said quietly. “I still remember the night you called and told me what you were up to. I have to admit that the prospect of you doing such a thing was a little bit thrilling but I was scared too.”

  “Scared?”

  “Yeah.” She sighed deeply and, reaching for her coffee cup, took a sip. “Figured you’d fall in love with all that excitement and you’d forget all about loving me. Guess I was right about that.”

  T set down his fork and turned to her. “Melanie, I don’t think I ever stopped loving you. Even as the years passed by, you were the one constant that made me as homesick as hell. There wasn’t day that went by when I didn’t think of you. Life just happened, honey, and before I knew it I was caught up in that life.”

  “Pretty exciting, huh?”

  “Some of it. But most of it was just a whole bunch of lonely. I never really knew who I could trust and I didn’t connect with people on a serious level. Not really.”

  “Surely there were women.”

  He shrugged. “Sure but none who were like you. You were real and sweet. You are home to me and that’s where my heart has always been.” Horrified by the sudden sheen of tears in Melanie’s eyes, he wanted to take back every hastily spoken word. Figured he’d be enough of a dumbass as to spill his heart in such a public place. “Damn, darlin’. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  Mel quickly dabbed at her eyes with her crumpled napkin and then favored him with a smile so brilliant it almost stole his breath. “No, no, you didn’t say anything wrong, T. Maybe for the first time since you’ve been home you’ve finally said something right. Perfect, in fact.”

  * * * * *

  By midday, and after hours in the July heat, Mel was ready to crawl into the nearest cold shower. T had dropped her off after that very enlightening breakfast and headed back to the Double D where she was sure, he was knee-deep in beeves, horses and other ranch stuff. After promising him that getting a ride home would not be a problem, he’d taken off, vowing to see her later. All around her were the sounds of chatter as folks worked to get their booths in order for the big weekend that would kick off in a few days. The Peach Festival was a big deal to the citizens of Delight and normally brought lots of vacationers to th
eir quaint little spot on the planet. To be quite honest, it was pretty much the only excitement in these parts.

  Melanie had long ago yanked her hair back into a ponytail, thanking her lucky stars she’d worn shorts and a casual tee today. Several hours ago, some kind soul had given her a red bandana which she kept tucked into the front pocket of her shorts, keeping it within easy reach for frequent forehead-mopping. It was hotter than seven kinds of hell today. Mel reached into the bushel basket at her feet and plucked up another couple of bottles of peach relish and set them by their brothers on a shelf. Already she’d festooned the front of the booth with yellow bunting.

  All along the town square, she along with other members of the Peach Festival Steering Committee had been helping those selling goodies. Hammers banged away and people arrived with the products they would sell over the next few days. Each booth featured a wooden flap that could be pulled down and locked up at the end of each day. Of course, nobody expected problems with thieves. Delight was, after all, a fairly sleepy little town and the local police chief and his two deputies would keep an eye on things. Someone had brought a boom box and country tunes were currently trilling through the air.

  Next to the vendors area sat a large white gazebo where the band would play during the Friday night street dance and then the following afternoon it would be the site of the Miss Peach Delight competition. Saturday morning would be a killer getting everything ready to go but she figured she was up for the challenge.

  She’d just turned back to the basket for more jars when she spotted a smiling Bradley leaning against the countertop, carrying two bottles of water. “Every time I see you these days, you look like you could use one of these.” He tipped a bottle in her direction and Mel immediately took it, quickly unscrewing the lid.

  “Thanks,” she sighed after taking a big swig. “You don’t know how badly I needed that.”