Jane Bonander by Wild Heart

Author:Wild Heart
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

11

Julia was up before dawn. Even so, McCloud had beat her, for she saw the lantern flickering outside, in the makeshift corral where they kept the milk cows and the little calf.

She scrambled some eggs, cutting up leftover ham into them before pouring them into the skillet. The smell of cinnamon and sugar hung in the air as coffee cake baked in the oven.

The back door opened, and she found herself twisting her apron hem, waiting for McCloud to enter. When he stepped into the room, she broke into a cold, heart-hammering sweat. She felt skittish, light-headed, anxious. Her thighs tingled. Had she actually slept with this dangerous, wild-hearted man? Every part of her body told her she had, for she had so much energy, she felt like skipping around the room.

Knowing he could see the longing in her eyes, she turned away.

“Why did you leave my bed last night, Julia?”

She even reacted differently to the sound of his voice this morning. The way he said her name, drawing it out, softening it, like he truly enjoyed saying it.

“I’m used to sleeping in my own bed.” And staying would have given you the idea that I care, McCloud, and I can’t let you see how much I care.

“I woke up around two o’clock, cold, alone, and damned horny.”

She grimaced at his crude words. So much for dreams of romance. She should have known better, but last night he’d been so perfect. She should have known it was too good to last. Scolding herself, she continued preparing breakfast, embarrassed anger surfacing. “Surely you know how to please yourself, McCloud.”

“Not as good as you could do it,” he volleyed.

Heat flooded her cheeks. What a fool she’d been to even mention it!

“I didn’t hurt you last night, did I?”

Her heart began to thump. “What’s this, McCloud? Actual concern?”

“Well,” he drawled, “you might not come to my bed again, demanding that I sleep with you, if you think it will hurt.”

Mortified, she busied herself with breakfast. “Oh, don’t worry. I’ll only be back if I don’t get pregnant.” God, why was there such an ache in her chest?

“Then I can only hope you’ll be back. Again and again.”

She should have been accustomed to his teasing, but she wasn’t. Not after last night. Not after the tenderness he’d shown her and the passion he’d brought out in her. She pulled the coffee cake from the oven, cut it into squares and put it on the table. “I guess a backhanded compliment is better than none.”

Neither spoke as the silence stretched taut between them.

“Tell me about Marymae.”

She felt a gentle tug at her heart. “Why do you care about Marymae?”

He shrugged, appearing only mildly interested. “I’m curious to know if it was the Immaculate Conception.”

She snorted a response. “Of course not. Marymae is Josette’s baby.”

He shook his head, a cynical smile spreading across his face. “Now, why doesn’t that surprise me?”

“I don’t know, McCloud, why doesn’t it?” She scooped the eggs into a bowl and placed them on the table beside the coffee cake, then motioned him to help himself.

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