STORY EXCERPT

Rae Stanton had been uneasy all morning. She paced her living room waiting for a call. When her psychic powers caused such distress it was always bad news. All morning she’d tried to meditate with no success. Her stomach was queasy, and she hadn’t been able to eat.

She glared at the phone. Ring, damn it.

When her cell, in her pocket, played the familiar ringtone she jumped and grabbed it. Finally the waiting was over.

“Rae.” Mitch’s deep voice sounded in her ear.

“Who is? Who’s hurt?”

“What?”

“I’ve been pacing all morning. I know something is wrong, just not what.”

“No one died, and no one’s sick. You can relax.”

“This feeling is never wrong. Why did you call?”

“Nate’s back.”

Rae’s head snapped back, and her heart went into overdrive. She’d waited years to hear those words.

“Nate is here at the ranch?”

“Yes. He wants to talk with you. I’d like you to come to my office first. He’ll join us after you and I discuss his visit.”

“You’re being mysterious. What’s wrong?”

“Get over here, Rae. I’m not going to talk any further on the phone.” He hung up.

She wanted to be excited. Nate was home. She’d waited, and he’d come back. But something wasn’t right. Until she knew what Mitch had to say she wouldn’t allow herself to get too excited. Still, deep inside her a glimmer of hope flickered.

Should she change? Earlier she’d dressed in jeans, a jade-colored shirt, and had styled her long black hair into a French braid. Later today she and her business partner, Cassie, who was also a friend, had planned to go to the city. They were looking for house furnishings for their new contract.

She glanced at herself in the mirror. There was no need to change. Mitch’s home was within easy walking distance. The walk would give her time to calm herself.

When she entered her brothers Mitch and Daren’s house, no one was in the great room. She turned left and went down the corridor to the office. The door had been left partially open.

Rae peeked in. “I’m here.”

“Come in.” Mitch stood and walked around his desk to hug her.

“Where’s Daren?” Rae asked.

“We thought it best I talk with you alone. Daren, Sara, and Nate are in the study. Sit down.” Mitch pointed to the lounge chairs to the side of his office. After Rae sat, he joined her in the opposite chair.

“This must be serious.”

“It is to you. We’ve all known you’ve been waiting patiently for Nate, even though from what he said he didn’t ask you to.” Mitch’s eyebrow rose.

“Not in so many words. But I knew he cared for me. It isn’t unusual for some of our men to leave for a while. Most of them come back and settle on the ranch. But why is Nate waiting in the study?”

“He has something to tell you. It’s his story. I insisted on talking with you first to give you a chance to prepare yourself. What he is going to tell you won’t make you happy.”

Rae stared at her brother. “Send him in. As I told you on the phone, I was picking up the vibes regarding bad news. I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

Mitch nodded and left the room. Rae closed her eyes and tried to center herself. She slowed her breathing, cleared her mind, and let the golden light that warmed and settled her flow through her body. When Nate knocked on the door, she opened her eyes.

Nate stepped inside and shut the door. He hadn’t changed much, although his shoulders were broader, and his arms more muscled. Maturity showed both in his body and face. His golden-brown eyes were darker. His black hair had been cut short, military-style. He didn’t smile when he saw her. She sensed apprehension from his body language and the set of his mouth.

“Welcome home, Nate.” Rae forced herself to smile. She motioned to the chair where Mitch had sat. “Join me.”

He took quick steps to the seat and leaned back, putting his long legs out in front of him. His pose reminded her of her brother, Daren. Neither Daren nor Nate ever sat in a chair properly.

“Mitch said you had something to tell me. Are you back for good or stopping through?”

“Stopping through to see my family.”

“It’s been years.”

“Yes. My parents are getting older. I want to be in touch more often.”

“Why haven’t you come back sooner?” Rae felt the waves of frustration and irritability pouring off of him in her direction. “Why don’t you just say what you want to tell me?”

ADULT EXCERPT

What seemed hours later, Cad took her home. They had spoken very little the rest of the evening. Others talked with them. Cad kept his hand on her arm or back, his nearness a constant reminder he was there and waiting.  

The drive home was quick and silent. Cad walked her to the door and put his hand out for her key. Rae hesitated and then handed it to him.

She looked at his hand as he slid the key into the lock. A fine sprinkle of black hair brushed across the top. His fingers were long. For a second, she imagined his fingers lightly touching her body. Heat flushed under her skin.

Cad held the door open for her to enter. Rae put her small purse on the kitchen table and walked into the living room. She reached to turn on the lamp. Cad stopped her.

“All we need is the moonlight.” With one arm he drew her closer and turned her back to him. His fingers gradually pulled the zipper down the silver dress. Her heart beat faster. Her thoughts shouted at her to stop him.

He’s practically a stranger.

But my body craves his touch. Just for tonight I’ll let him make love to me. He’ll help me forget. It won’t mean anything.

He stepped back, and pushed the fancy dress off her shoulders and let it slip to the floor. Silvery moonlight beamed into the room and shone on her skin. Cad turned her to face him.

“You don’t need this.” He unfastened her lacy bra and threw it to the side. Then he knelt at her feet and took off one shoe at a time. “Hold on to me.”

Rae grabbed his head and his soft hair. He massaged her toes, the arch of her foot, and then the whole foot. A soothing pleasure built in her lower abdomen. When he was done, he started on the other side.

Her body trembled as tiny waves of desire stroked her. All resistant thought melted in the heat of her hunger.

His hands caressed her lower legs. He kissed the tender spot behind her knees. Taking his time he worked his way to her throbbing pussy. His nose brushed across her bikini panties, and her scent surrounded them. With a quick twist of his hand he tore the fragile lace panties off, separated her folds, and licked her juices. His tongue rubbed across her clit. Rae couldn’t stifle the moan that came up through her body and out. Cad flicked his tongue into the opening to her wet pussy.

“Take me,” she said. His silent chuckle against her sensitive folds heightened her hunger.

He looked at her. His eyes glinted in the moonlight, stark with desire.

“In time, my love, when I’ve finished exploring every spot on your body.” He straightened and cupped her full, lush breasts. His tongue licked her quivering flesh, and his teeth nibbled against her rosy nipples.

Her pussy clenched and throbbed with her need for him to fill her. Her breathing quickened, and she thought her heart would pound right out of her chest.

He continued his exploration to her shoulder and neck. Finally he held her face between his hands.

“You are perfectly beautiful.” His lips brushed across hers, and she tasted the mixture of him and her.

He swung her into his arms. “Which way?”

She pointed to the hall and to her bedroom. He strode down the short hall and stood her by the bed. He reached around her. First the comforter was pulled back and then the upper sheet.

When Cad straightened, he was right in front of her.

Her fingers began to undo the buttons on his white shirt. She spread the shirt apart and pushed it off. Leaning forward she kissed his nipples and across his wide shoulders. His scent heightened her arousal.

“It’s my turn now.” Her mouth touched over his heart, and the beat increased. She unfastened the narrow, black belt and undid the button on his suit pants. Her mouth roamed across his tight abs and flat belly as her hand slipped between the band on his shorts and closed around his hard cock. This time he groaned, and she flashed him a triumphant smile.

She pushed his shorts and pants down, and he stepped out of them and his shoes. Rae looked from his wide, large cock up to him.

A grin quirked up at the corner of his mouth. “Don’t worry. I’ll have you ready for me. We’ll fit fine. I’ll go slow.”

His warm, caring eyes reassured her. She moved her mouth up and down his length, licked the crown, and tasted his salty flavor. She ran her tongue up the ridge along the underside of his cock. Then her mouth covered him as far as she could go down.

“Ah, love, my head almost blew off that felt so good.” Cad’s hands ran through her long hair where she knelt in front of him.

Rae started to suck and he stopped her.

“I want to be inside your tight, wet pussy, right now.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely.” He pulled her up and lifted her onto the bed. Then reached in his pants pocket and pulled out his wallet. Inside was a condom package. He laid it on the bedside table and climbed onto the bed.

For a minute, he lay on his side, staring at her. Rae wanted to cross her arms over what she felt was fat on her waist and hips. She was not a dainty woman.

“You are perfect for me and for my cousin who you’ll meet soon. We want to marry you and have a family. Don’t ever think you aren’t beautiful. Your curves and lush breasts are a temptation to drive any man crazy.”

“Wait. You mentioned a cousin.” Her mind had snapped back to work.

“Don’t worry about that now. We’ll talk later.”

He kissed her mouth. His tongue slipped inside and caressed the interior while his hands stroked her breasts and his fingers gently pinched the peaks.

Rae’s desire swirled inside her, and all thought of questions or stopping were gone. Her body hungered to feel him inside her pussy. She moved restlessly underneath him.

Cad raised his head and stared into her eyes. He reached for the condom package and tore it open, and then he handed the condom to Rae. She rolled it onto his cock and positioned him at her pussy opening, where he slowly entered.

Rae spread her legs wider and pulled on his buttocks when he hesitated. “I’m all right. It’s tight, but don’t stop.” She moved her hips upward. He nodded and slid the rest of the way in.

“Ah.” She closed her eyes to let the feeling ripple across her body.

“Are you all right, Rae?”

“I will be when you start moving.”