“Very Christmassy,” he said.
Haley shrugged. “I have a red pair for the day. Not with me, though. I assumed I’d be home.” She swallowed the catch in her throat.
“Those will work.” Maddox gathered the cards and started shuffling. It was Haley’s deal, but Maddox seemed to have forgotten that. “I guess the next hand will decide it.”
“If we both go all in, sure.”
Maddox kept shuffling, watching Haley climb back onto the bed and sit down in her place. The bedspread held a warm indent where she’d been, which felt good. Maddox was right that she wasn’t used to winter cold, but she refused to shiver and reach for a blanket. Seattle certainly could be chilly and dank but didn’t hold the bone-penetrating cold of the Montana mountains.
Maddox’s blunt fingers skillfully shuffled the cards, arching them up to fall gracefully back into the pack.
He dealt, his eyes flicking to her bare knee and then back to the cards. Maddox picked up his hand, scanning it. His eyebrows went up. “Hmm. Interesting.”
“Okay, now I know you’re bluffing,” Haley said. “You never look at your hand and use words like interesting in front of the other players.”
Maddox sent her a cryptic look. “I’m just saying it’s interesting.”
Lance rose to his feet, stretched, and shook himself. He sauntered to the door, pawed it open, then slunk out. Maddox got off the bed and closed the door all the way behind him. “I don’t think we need an audience for this last part.”
“He’ll try to get back in,” Haley pointed out.
“Nah, he’ll go sleep on my bed. Now let’s play.”
Haley hugged her cards to her chest as Maddox came back around the bed to his place. “No looking at my hand,” she said.
“Sugar, it’s not your hand I’m looking at.”
Haley flushed as Maddox resumed his seat, resting his arms on his knees, his bare feet on the bed’s rail.
She scanned her cards, which weren’t bad—three tens—and tossed away a card. “One, please,” she said.
Maddox touched the deck. “Just one? Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. May I have the card?”
Maddox slid it to her. Haley took it, forcing herself not to change expression. “Thank you,” she said calmly.
“Dealer takes three.”
Haley glanced at him. Perspiration beaded on his temples. “I thought you said your hand was interesting,” she said.
“It is. But I want three cards.” He drew them without a tremor, though the perspiration at his temples deepened.
“Are you ready to call?” Haley asked.
“All or nothing,” Maddox reminded her. “Are you sure?”
“I’m quite sure.”
“Now I know you have a decent hand.” Maddox gave her a shrewd look. “You have a tell.”
Haley peered at him. “I do not have a tell. What are you talking about?”
“Whenever you have good cards, you’re more polite. Like you can afford to be condescending.”
Haley met his gaze with a lofty one. “Is that so?”
“That’s so. Ready to show me all you’ve got?”
“You wish.” Haley laid down her cards with a flourish. “Full house. Tens and queens. Lose the clothes, Campbell. Or talk.” Her heart beat faster. She hoped he’d choose to strip—there had to be some fine man under those jeans.
“Not so fast, sweetheart.” Maddox’s frown turned into a broad smile. “Straight flush. As they say—read ’em and weep.”
“Damn.” Haley’s mouth popped open. The cards stared up at her, the six, seven, eight, nine, and ten of hearts. “How did you get a straight flush?”
“I kept two hearts and drew three more. I guess it’s my lucky night.”
“Wait—you got up to let Lance out. You had cards hidden by the door, right?”
Maddox sat back in his chair, propping his feet on the bed. “Oh, so now you’re accusing me of cheating? Sore loser. I drew those cards fair as anything.”
Haley knew he had. Maddox probably prided himself on being painfully honest. “Shit,” she whispered.
Her palms had gone slick, her breath tight in her chest. But of course, she didn’t have to take off her underwear—she could tell him her life’s story instead. Or simply rise to her feet with as much dignity as she could in a bright green bra and panties and demand that he leave. Or, she could finish the game like a good sport and take them off.
Why did baring her entire body to him seem less intimidating than exposing her heart?
She slid a shaking hand behind her, resting her fingers on the bra’s hooks. “If I do this, you have to join in. I’m not a stripper putting on a show.”
Maddox’s chest rose. “Nice idea. You doing a pole dance.”
Haley’s face heated, but she refused to let him discomfit her. “Ha. I’d fall on my face. Pole dancing is hard—athletic even. Strippers aren’t given enough respect.”
“Tell you what—if I ever find myself at a club, I’ll give them lots of respect.” Maddox put his hand to his waistband. “But sure. I’ll join you.”
He unbuttoned his jeans. In the silence of the room, the sound of his zipper was loud.
Haley’s breath nearly choked her. It filled her lungs too quickly, the air and light in the room swirling together in sparkling colors. She unhooked her bra, the band loosening.
Maddox slid out of his jeans, revealing a pair of tight black boxer-briefs. Didn’t help Haley catch her breath.
He put his strong knee on the bed. “How about I make this easier on both of us?”
Maddox slid one arm around Haley’s back. His hand went to the loose bra strap, pushing it open, his palm a place of incredible warmth.
Their gazes locked as Maddox guided Haley up to him. She closed the space between them quickly, lifting herself against him and offering her mouth in a long, hungry kiss.
Chapter Eight
Warm arms enclosed him, warm legs too. Haley pulled Maddox down to her, her lips seeking his, her body wrapping around him.
Maddox laid her down, bracing himself on his knees as he lowered to her. They lost the kiss and Haley looked up at him, her brown eyes full of tenderness but also consternation.
She didn’t like letting herself go, his corporate lady. He’d watched her hang back and assess every situation before tentatively wading forward. Unlike Maddox, who’d learned to jump on in, to hell with it.
Maddox kissed the bridge of her nose. He freed her from the bra and tossed it off the bed, then ran his fingers down the curve of her breast.
“I knew you were beautiful,” he said, moving his kiss to her cheekbone. “I knew it the minute I looked into your car window, and you screamed bloody murder.”
“You scared me.” Haley turned her head, catching his lips in a soft kiss. “I was alone, stranded.”
“You never have to be alone, sweetheart.” Maddox kissed the curve of her lower lip, her chin, her cheek. “Doesn’t matter if we go our separate ways. I’ll be there for you, whenever you need me.”
She stared up at him in surprise, but Maddox made no empty promise. All Haley had to do was pick up the phone, and he’d go to her, no questions asked.
Haley said softly, “When I stopped being scared, I thought I’d never seen eyes as blue as yours.”
“No, when you stopped being scared, you were mad as hell.” Maddox smiled into her cheek. “And you kept on being beautiful.”
“Shut up and kiss me,” Haley whispered.
Maddox complied. He parted her lips, swept his tongue into her mouth, tasted her fire. Haley ran her foot up his bare leg, her breasts soft cushions for his chest.
Both of them knew what would happen—what was happening. Haley’s fingers moved through his hair then down to his back. She was strong and yet softness itself.
Maddox lifted away from her warmth, not wanting to, but he had to before it was too late. He was hard, his underwear constricting, but he’d have to make himself wa
it a few moments longer.
He touched the tip of her nose. “Do not go away.”
Haley raised her head as Maddox leapt from the bed and made for the door. He pulled it open silently, not waking the sleeping house, and dashed to his own bedroom.
He moved fast, not wanting to give Haley time to close her door and lock him out. Maddox noted distractedly as he grabbed what he needed from his top dresser drawer, that Lance had curled up in the middle of his bed.
“Good dog,” he whispered, then ran back out again.
He’d been gone maybe twenty seconds. He closed and locked Haley’s door and half fell back on the bed.
Maddox offered no explanation for the foil-wrapped condom he tossed to her night table, only came back down to Haley. The condom was just in case. They might decide, like two rational adults, not to make love at all.
Sure. No way in hell were they going to be rational. It was almost Christmas and they were two lonely people together in this quiet house, crystal snow falling against the window.
Some kind of Christmas magic had brought them together. Maddox was going to enjoy it instead of fighting it. From the look in Haley’s brown-gold eyes, she’d decided that too.
He could also tell from the way she hooked her fingers around his underwear and pulled it down that she was more than ready. Her touch went to his ass as their kisses deepened, her small hands cupping it.
Maddox shoved his underwear the rest of the way off. As much as he liked her fondling his backside, he made himself slide away from her. He backed off the bed then reached down and pulled the Christmas-green undies from Haley’s hips.
As the silken underwear joined his utilitarian boxer-briefs on the rug, Maddox dragged in a breath and looked down at Haley.
Damn. She lay back on her elbows, her tawny hair falling across her cheeks, her eyes languid. Her body was on display for him, the position pushing her toward him a little. Her strong shoulders led to the softest curve of breasts, her nipples dark pink, the tips tight.
Her stomach was probably less firm than she liked—women thought they had to have some strange hourglass shape—her hips wide and lush. Her legs were strong like her shoulders, with muscles of a woman who enjoyed walking and running. Between her thighs, a swirl of golden hair beckoned his touch.
Maddox’s cock was harder than he ever remembered it being, his hunger for her escalating to fever levels. He’d craved her since he’d pulled her from her car, when she’d slipped and he’d caught her against him.
Made for me. The words had whispered through his mind.
Haley’s smile was sultry. “You’re hot, cowboy.”
Maddox flushed. “Yeah, I’m burning up.”
She laughed, inhibitions flowing away. “Come and warm me.”
Maddox held himself back from leaping directly on top of her. Maybe one day, when they were more comfortable with each other, they could play, but right now, he only wanted to be with her.
He lowered himself to the bed, aching with impatience, and stretched his body over hers. Her wrists ended up in his big hands, held gently against the mattress.
“You are the best thing I ever did see,” Maddox said, his voice becoming thick. “Worth digging out of that snow bank.”
She only smiled, loosened her hand from his hold, and touched his face.
The touch was feather light and so tender that what was left of Maddox’s control dissolved. He had enough self-command to drag the condom from the nightstand, rip it open, and quickly push it over his cock. Haley helped him, her shaking fingers driving him wild.
Maddox lowered her to the bed and slid his hand between her legs. She was already plenty warm, as ready for this as he was. Maddox drew a breath and slid himself inside her.
Hot, tight, sweet. The exhilarating feelings streamed through him, his eyes closing as he fought a groan. Haley made a noise in her throat and touched his face again with smooth fingertips. Then her hands returned to his backside to pull him all the way in.
Maddox paused, buried inside her, the two of them joined. He looked into her eyes, and found warmth, beauty, and the amazing heart of this woman.
Haley gazed up at him in return, the look on her face enough to melt him.
Staying still any longer wasn’t an option. Maddox withdrew halfway and came back to her in a hard thrust. Haley’s eyes heated, her smile widening as she lifted her hips to meet his.
He thrust again, and she rocked against him, the two of them establishing a rhythm without speaking. Excitement escalated through Maddox, making thought waver and feeling take over.
The quiet of the night, broken by the occasional flurry of snow slapping the window like grains of sand heightened the intensity—no noise, only Haley and Maddox alone in the dark, glittering world.
Haley sank her fingers into his hips, urging him faster. Maddox stifled the sounds he wanted to make, knowing his aunt and his dog slept not far down the hall. This had to be silent loving.
Haley’s body heated, her limbs becoming loose, her kisses fervent. As Maddox thrust harder, the bed creaking, she lolled her head back in release, a cry escaping her mouth.
Maddox caught the sound on his lips, kissing her as he rode her, thrusting faster and faster. He wanted to go on forever, but his world squeezed suddenly to one single point of awareness.
Haley.
“Damn it,” he said in a fierce whisper, then he kissed her again, riding it out.
When Maddox could think once more, he found himself holding her, kissing her lips in wonderful afterglow. Haley held on to him, her mouth hot, her body welcoming.
They sank into the bedding, Maddox clumsily reaching for a blanket to pull over them as they snuggled down. The world went still, snow whispering at the window. Haley touched his lips, bathing him in the best smile he’d ever seen.
When Haley awoke the first time in the night, Maddox was with her, his legs around hers, the two of them tucked into the small bed. He’d rid himself of the condom a while back, but they’d had plenty of fun with hands and kisses bringing each other to enjoyment. Now they basked in warmth and sleep. Haley smiled in contentment and drifted off again.
The next time she woke, she found Maddox gone and the window just beginning to lighten.
She stared at a blank sky, gray with clouds. The view should have been gloomy, but in the lingering memory of Maddox’s body on hers, his gentle touches, his strength when he loved her, the sky might have been brilliant blue with rainbows dancing through it.
Maddox’s lovemaking had been an astonishing mix of passion and generosity, he enjoying it yet giving her as much pleasure as he could. Haley basked for a while thinking about it, then she sat up abruptly.
They’d hit the solstice, which meant days were at their shortest. If it was already light outside, she’d overslept by a long way.
Haley tore the covers from her naked body, sprang out of bed, and tripped over the large body of Lance. Catching herself in time, she stumbled to her suitcase, yanked out her last set of clean clothes and hopped awkwardly trying to put them on. Not easy with a giant dog taking up most of the room.
Haley stuffed her arms into a thick pullover sweater, dragged on her shoes, and hurried from the room. She smelled the lingering odors of coffee and bacon as she plunged down the stairs, followed noisily by Lance.
It was nine-thirty by the clock on the landing. Haley jogged into the kitchen to find Aunt Jane washing dishes, a plate of food resting on the stove.
“I kept it warm for you,” Aunt Jane said without turning around.
“Sorry.” Haley took up the plate and carried it to the table. Lance was already sitting by her chair. “I should have set an alarm. I didn’t mean to oversleep.”
“Mmm.” Aunt Jane glanced over her shoulder. The look in her eyes made Haley’s face scald.
Aunt Jane wasn’t judgmental or disapproving. But her expression told Haley that she knew exactly what her nephew and Haley had been doing in her bedroom last night—that they wer
e fools for thinking they could keep it a secret.
Haley ducked her head and started eating breakfast.
“Maddox almost got married,” Aunt Jane said as though continuing a conversation begun some time ago. She shut off the water and started wiping the counters. “When he came back from college. He’d met a girl in California—fell madly in love. She was happy to be with him, until he brought her here and told her he wanted to live at the ranch.” Aunt Jane shook her head. “I’d never heard so much arguing. She wanted him to move with her to Los Angeles and find a job. She wanted restaurants and clubs and a big house with a pool. Can’t blame her really—it’s what she understood, and small-town life isn’t for everyone. Maddox was thinking about compromising—maybe a smaller city in California or Oregon, closer to Starlight Bend—but she walked out. He’d bought the ring and everything. She said he was a hopeless, shit-kicking cowboy in a dirty little town, and she’d never marry someone who smelled like crap. Maddox was furious, said good riddance. But I could see that it broke his heart.”
Haley listened, indignation warring with compassion for Maddox. “What a bitch,” she declared. She fed a piece of bacon to Lance. “Maybe small-town life isn’t for everyone, but there’s nothing wrong with Maddox. And Starlight Bend is beautiful. Who couldn’t think so?”
“They were young,” Aunt Jane said. “Hard to compromise when you’re twenty-two and don’t know how short life really is.”
Aunt Jane turned away to continue cleaning, and Haley attacked her eggs and bacon in silence. Here was her answer as to why Maddox had never married.
Maybe the woman leaving him had made him gun-shy. No wonder Maddox had given Haley such shit—she was a big-city girl and hadn’t been very complimentary about being stuck in this corner of Montana. He must have thought her just like his ex.
“He never proposed to anyone else?” Haley asked as she took her last bite. She carried her plate to the sink and rinsed it off. “That was a while ago.”
“Seven years. Maddox is twenty-nine. No, the girls he grew up with are either married or gone—mostly both. Starlight Bend has a smaller proportion of women to men, and he hasn’t ventured outside it to look elsewhere. High time he did, I’m thinking.”