Cole walked by him and stopped at the door, shooting a look of disgust over his shoulder. “Wrong again, Victor. She’s already starting to trust me, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Because of you, Charley and I have wasted ten years that we should have spent together. I don’t intend to waste another minute. Now tell your…friend, to get out of my way.” He met Douglas’ cold eyes and held them until the man stepped away from the door.
* * * * *
The streetlights plunged them in and out of darkness as Cole steered the Jag toward Charley’s house. He glanced at her. She was staring down at the bracelet intently, even though he was pretty sure she wasn’t actually seeing it. He had watched her nervousness build all evening. By the time the party ended, he’d halfway expected her to back out. But she hadn’t. The thought had his stomach churning. She wanted him as much as he wanted her.
“What did Uncle Victor want to talk to you about?”
“He had some problems. I addressed them.”
“Oh, good. Maybe he’s starting to come around.”
Cole smiled at her. “Maybe.” He pulled the car into her driveway and parked behind her Blazer. Charley made no effort to exit on her own, and he walked around the car, opened the door and took her hand. She was trembling.
“You know, I think I’m really going to enjoy having a puppy,” she rattled as they walked across the lawn. “I’ve never had a pet before.”
“Maybe I should think about getting a dog, too. I’m sure Mrs. Paulson would feel safe from the bears if we had one around.” He put his hand at her back as they started up the stairs.
“Oh, I’m sure she would.” Charley’s keys jingled in her hand and then hit the boards of the porch with a loud clank when she fumbled them.
He scooped them up and unlocked her front door, stepping inside and pulling her in after him. She reached to turn on a light just as he reached around her to relock the door. Their gaze met, held, and he saw her pupils expand. “Charley, are you afraid?”
She licked her lips, her eyes still on his. “No,” she whispered. “Just a little nervous.”
He propped one hand behind her on the door. With the other he traced the soft skin along the top edge of her low-cut blouse. “Would it help to know that I’m nervous, too?” He could feel chill bumps rising in the wake of his fingers, and her shivering increased.
“You? Why are you nervous?” Her voice had taken on a husky quality.
“I’m afraid that I want you too much,” he murmured. His fingers slipped lower, to the lacy fringe of her bra. “I’m afraid that I’ll hurt you, or scare you.” His fingers were under the piping now, moving across one satiny breast. “And I’m afraid…” I’ll lose you, he thought. Finally, his finger brushed the hardened, ready nipple.
Charley’s whole body convulsed at the touch, and a moan broke from her parted lips. For an instant longer he rolled the taut evidence of her desire between his fingers, and she arched into him, her eyes closed.
“Oh, God.” The words seemed to be torn from her throat. “Cole, oh, please don’t stop.”
The sweet sound of her passion drove him over the edge. With both hands he ripped her blouse away. Clothing no longer mattered, nothing mattered except giving Charley what she wanted, what she needed. What they both needed.
The bra went the same way as the blouse and he leaned to fasten his teeth on her other breast. Air whistled in and out of her lungs in tortured gasps, and her legs gave out. But he braced her against the door, held her up.
His hand took up where his mouth left off as his lips trailed heat up her neck. Possessively, fiercely, he claimed her mouth, and she answered him, frantic with her own desire. Somehow, she had managed to undo the buttons of his shirt, and when he felt her pushing at his shoulders, he shrugged out of it.
When she crushed her breasts against him, his hands moved to the fastener on her skirt. It parted like air under his adrenaline-enhanced strength, and he pushed it down, along with her panties, and felt her step out of them. He had to touch her. His hand plunged between her legs, searching for and finding the core of her pleasure. She was hot and wet and swollen under his fingers, ready, so very ready for him. And still he tortured her with his touch, until they were both in agony.
Her desperate hands finally freed him and he almost lost control when she caressed him. Pushing her fingers away, he fumbled on a condom, then slid one hand under a silky thigh and lifted, positioned himself at her opening, and paused. “Charley,” he whispered. “Oh, Charley. I’ve waited so long.”
With one plunge, he buried himself inside her. Sweet, hot waves of torment washed over him as she took him in, gripped his length in an impossibly tight velvet casing of pure rapture. He no longer knew which of them the sobs were coming from and he didn’t care. He was home, he was where he belonged. He drove into her, time and again until he felt the first spasms of her climax. As her teeth caught in his neck to muffle her cries of pleasure, he gave in to the blessed relief of his own climax and endlessly spilled his seed into her.
Sanity was slow in returning, but gradually Cole became aware that he was on his back, on the floor in front of Charley’s door. Charley was sprawled on top of him, her shinning hair spread over his chest like a blanket, hiding her face from him. Gently, he brushed it back. A single tear slid down her cheek. “Oh, God. Charley, did I hurt you?”
Her body shook and he almost panicked. A low laugh escaped her. “No, you didn’t hurt me.”
“Then what’s wrong?” He caught the tear with his finger.
She sighed. “It was too fast. It’s been so long, Cole. I wanted it to last forever.”
Her answer caught him by surprise and forced a husky laugh of his own as happiness welled up inside him. “Oh, my sweet Charley,” he whispered, pulling her lips up to his. “That was just the foreplay.” With one movement, he stood, holding her in his arms, and carried her into the bedroom.
Chapter Ten
Had it been a dream, again? Cole’s lips turned up at the corners. No, the warm, sweetly curved body curled around his own was no dream. He tightened his arms around her gently, loving the way she felt, loving her. He opened his eyes and turned his head a little to gaze down at her.
Charley’s head was nestled on his shoulder, one arm tossed loosely around his neck, the gold ID bracelet glinting in the morning sunlight. A long, smooth leg was wrapped over his. They had made love so many times last night that he’d lost count, and each time it had been harder not to tell her how much he loved her.
This was the way it should be. Waking up every morning with Charley beside him. They belonged together. They always had. And yet, sooner or later he was going to have tell her why he had left her all those years ago. If it drove them apart again it would kill him. He didn’t think he could live without Charley anymore. A sharp pain ran through his heart. “God,” he thought, “is it too much to ask for us to have a chance at being happy? That’s all I want. It’s all I’ve ever wanted.”
Cole buried his face in her hair, inhaling deeply, and forced himself to relax. Just the fact that she was here, in his arms, was nothing short of a miracle. He wanted to enjoy it while he could. Last night had changed everything, he knew. It had created a bond between them. One that gave him the right to treat her like a lover now, instead of just a friend or acquaintance. Hopefully, it would grow even stronger the more time they spent together. And he was going to make sure they were together every second possible. “I love you, Charley,” he whispered.
Her hand clenched on his skin, and her eyelashes fluttered. With a soft sigh she opened her eyes, looking at him blankly for a second before a flush rose in her cheeks.
Cole couldn’t stop his smile. She looked so damned adorable, all sleep-rumpled and satisfied, her lips still swollen from the kisses they’d shared. “Good morning,” he murmured.
“Cole.” Her hand moved down his chest as though she were checking to make sure he was really there, and his smile broadened. He knew exactly h
ow she felt.
She returned his smile, tentatively at first, then with more confidence. “Wow.”
Laughter bubbled up inside him and spilled over. “My sentiments exactly. You know, you’re going to have a hard time getting rid of me. After a night like that, I may just keep you.” He kept his voice teasing.
Something flashed in her eyes, but her smile stayed in place. “After last night, I may just let you. Of course, if we keep up that pace we’ll both be dead in a few weeks anyway.”
“I’m willing to chance it if you are. And what a way to go.”
She yawned and pushed a lock of hair away from her face. “What time is it?”
“A little after eight.”
“I guess we need to get up, huh?” She pushed herself away from him and then hesitated, turning to look back. “Cole, I’m not sure I know how to do this.”
“Do what?” He ran a hand down her arm.
She reddened again. “Have an affair. I mean, that is what we’re doing, isn’t it? It wasn’t just a one-night thing, was it?”
His gaze met hers, emotion making his voice husky when he answered. “No, Charley. We both know it wasn’t just a one-night thing.” It was his turn to hesitate. He wanted her to move in with him, but instinct was telling him to slow down, to give her time to get used to having him so close. “For now, why don’t we just let nature takes its course and enjoy each other? Neither of us is going anywhere, and as far as I know, there are rules we have to follow.”
“Isn’t this going to make it hard to work together?”
“Only because you may have to bar your office door to keep me out if you want to get any work done.” He picked up her hand and kissed her fingers. “But that does remind me. I have to go out to Duncan Mills later this evening. Want to get something to eat and go with me?”
“Sure.” Charley smiled. “I haven’t been out there in a long time. Sounds like fun.”
“I can think of something else that sounds like fun.” He tugged on her hand until she was stretched out next to him. Just as he leaned over and brushed her lips with his, the phone rang.
Charley pulled back. “I better get that. It might be Frannie.” She reached for the phone. “Hello?” Cole’s arms went around her and she tilted her head to one side as he nuzzled her neck. “Hi, Uncle Vic.” Cole’s movements paused and then continued as he listened to the conversation.
“Cole?” Charley’s cheeks turned blood red, but she took a deep breath, her chin lifting in unconscious defiance. “Yes, he is here. Why?” Cole’s lips turned up in a smile against her skin. “Oh. I know he’ll be happy to hear that. Yes, sir. I’ll tell him.” There was another pause. “No, I’m sorry, Uncle Vic. Cole and I are going out to Duncan Mills this evening. Maybe we can have lunch one day next week?” She snuggled closer to Cole. “Okay, see you then. Bye.”
“What was that all about?”
Charley turned in his arms. “Uncle Vic said to tell you that the City Council has decided to go along with the ideas your city planner came up with. The bypass won’t be necessary.”
“I never doubted it.” He pulled her up on top of him. “Now, where were we?”
* * * * *
Cole stopped Charley just inside the back door of the Red Dog, and pulled her into his arms. As his mouth came down on hers, he could hear a phone ringing but he ignored it as she kissed him back.
“What was that for?” Charley smiled up at him, her body still leaning against his, arms around his neck.
“Because I wanted to, because I can, and because it may be my last chance until this evening. I need to run home and change before I go to work.”
“Sounds like good enough reasons to do it again.” She stretched to reach him, her lips brushing his.
“Gee, I really hate to interrupt, but Cole, you have a call from Los Angeles on line one.”
Cole and Charley both turned to look at Frannie. She was standing in the middle of the hall, hands on her hips as she watched them.
Reluctantly, he released Charley. “Okay, I’d better take it.” He smiled at her. “I’ll stop by your office when I’m done.”
“Okay.”
As soon as he reached his office, he picked up the phone. He was still talking twenty minutes later when his door opened again and Frannie came in, locking it behind her. “That’s fine, Will. Just fax me the contract when it’s ready.” He eyed Frannie as he finished the call and hung up. “Problem?”
Propping both hands on the edge of his desk, she glared at him. “You could say that. Charley is my cousin and my best friend. I don’t want to see her get hurt again.”
He smiled. “Are you actually asking me my intentions?”
She crossed her arms over her chest, one foot tapping on the floor. “Yes, I guess I am. For some reason, I’m beginning to suspect that you’ve been playing a game since the day you showed up. I don’t much care for the feeling.”
Cole studied her and then sighed. “You may as well sit down.” When she did, he continued. “How do you feel about Victor Channing?”
“Victor?” She frowned. “What does he have to do with this?”
“Frannie, if you want me to tell you what’s going on, first I need to know how you feel about him.”
“I think he’s a pompous ass.” She waved a hand in the air. “I know, he’s Charley’s uncle and she adores him, but I’ve never cared for the man. I’ve always gotten the impression he just tolerates me because I’m Charley’s cousin.”
Cole nodded, coming to a decision. “How much do you know about what happened ten years ago between Charley and me?”
“Everything she knows. You proposed one night, and then vanished. It almost killed her. She really loved you, you know.”
“I know,” he said softly. “And I loved her. I’ve never stopped.” He looked down at his desk. “I didn’t leave because I wanted to, Frannie. I left because I had no choice. Victor Channing owned the house my mother lived in. He was waiting for me that night when I got home, and he told me that if I weren’t gone by morning, he’d throw her out. She had no money, except for a small pension she got when my dad was killed. Even combined with what little I made, it wasn’t enough to rent anything else. And so I left.”
He cleared his throat of the lump that had formed and looked up at Frannie. “I tried to get in touch with Charley for almost a year. I wrote, and even called a few times. But Channing must have intercepted the letters because Charley never answered them, and someone else always picked up the phone. By the time Charley moved to her own place, I had realized a few hard facts. In a way, Channing was right. I had nothing to offer Charley. If we had gotten married, she would have had to live in near-poverty. I couldn’t do that to her, Frannie. So I stopped trying to reach her, and I went to work. With Jim McIntire’s help, I started Jordan Enterprises. And I started making money. For Charley. Everything I did was for Charley. Every job I did, every penny I made. I never gave up hope. Now I’m back, and I don’t intend to give her up this time.”
Frannie was watching him, her eyes misty. “All this time, and you still love her. Why don’t you just tell her, Cole?”
He shook his head. “You know the way she feels about her uncle, Frannie. When her father died, Channing took her and her mother in. And when her mother died a year later, he raised her alone. Do you really think she’d believe me?”
“I don’t know.” Frannie worried one corner of her lip between her teeth. “She might.”
“No.” Cole sighed. “Right now, she wouldn’t. And I can’t take a chance on driving her away by making her choose between us. Channing still hates me. He’s going to do everything in his power to keep Charley away from me. That includes lying. I have no way to prove what happened. It’s just my word against his, and she doesn’t trust me completely, even after last night.”
Frannie smiled. “Yeah, but you have something Channing doesn’t have. You have me on your side.” She stood. “I don’t know what I can do to help, but I’ll th
ink of something. I want to see her happy, Cole. And I know she’s never stopped loving you.”
“Thanks, Frannie. I hope to God you’re right.”
“I am.” She patted his hand. “Don’t worry, this will all work out somehow.”
* * * * *
“Looks like we have about an hour of daylight left.” Cole glanced at the sun low on the horizon. “That should give us enough time to check the place out.” He put an arm around Charley’s shoulder and gestured down the deserted street in front of them. “What do you think?”
“It’s like stepping back in time. I can almost see horses tied to the rails, and women in long dresses stopping to talk to handsome cowboys.”
Cole nodded in satisfaction. “And that’s exactly what you will see when it’s finished. Naturally, there will be some real stores, but we’re doing everything we can to turn Duncan Mills into a living museum. Cars won’t be allowed in here. People will have to park back in the parking lot and walk in. Actors will be putting on shows constantly. Everything from gambling in the saloon to gunfights in the street. And after our engineers are finished insuring their safety, we’re going to open the old silver mines for tours.” He pointed to the right as they walked. “That’s the stable. We’ll have a real working blacksmith in residence. Right next door will be the doctor’s office with original equipment, then the general store, and beside that an old-time photographer. The newspaper is on the other side of that. People will be able to see exactly how things were done back in the days when Duncan Mills was a thriving metropolis.”
Charley was smiling up at him. “Sounds like Kristy infected you with some of her enthusiasm.”
Cole laughed sheepishly. “You may be right. I think I’m looking forward to finishing this place more than I have any project in a long time. It’s like we’re preserving a piece of the past.”
“If you feel that strongly about it, why did you put Kristy in charge? Wouldn’t you rather do it yourself?”
He shrugged. “Kristy is a history buff. She’ll do a better job than I could. And besides, I had other things to take care of.” His finger brushed her cheek as he looked down at her.