One to Take (One to Hold 8)

Thunder rumbles low outside as we climb into the bed. I called it a night after I caught my fiancée falling asleep on the couch.

“You’ve had a busy day,” I say, stroking her face.

Her cheek rests on the pillow, but she smiles. “I’m glad Amy’s here. I guess after this morning, I’m just exhausted.”

“Get some rest.” I lean down to kiss her, and she holds my face a moment.

“I wish you would talk to me.” Her eyes blink slowly, and I know she’s on the edge of consciousness.

Warmth moves across my chest

. “What do you want to talk about, baby?”

“What you really want.” Her eyes stay closed longer this time. “Don’t hold me out.”

“Sleep now,” I say, kissing her soft lips. “We can talk later.”

A little nod, and she’s out. I stay awake several moments, moving her hair back with my fingertips. My bewitching little gypsy. I stopped fighting it long ago.

“The only thing I want is you,” I say.

12

Revelation

Mariska

When I open my eyes again the next morning, and I’m alone in bed, I’m pissed. Sitting up, I know what I have to do. I pull my hair around, over my shoulder and weave it into a thick braid then I throw back the covers and stomp over to the window. Still raining.

Going to the closet, I jerk it open, pulling out a bright red floral dress and pulling it over my head not bothering with a bra. It buttons up the front, but I only fasten the middle ones. I’ve had enough of this behavior.

Amy is sitting at the kitchen table when I emerge from the hall. “Hey, Mare! I want you to read my coffee grounds!”

“In a minute,” I grumble, going straight to the door and outside. Light rain gathers in little beads on my hair, making it look like I’m wearing a veil.

Into the barn, I scan the open space looking for Bill. As far as I can tell, the only person in the area with the horses is Stuart, just the man I’m looking for.

He’s in Ranger’s stall, and I go straight to the door, pull the latch, and go inside. He stands up slowly, a confused smile on his face, and it hits me so hard. He’s gorgeous in those loose jeans and that damn grey Henley I stole last year.

“Hey, babe—” but I don’t let him finish. I go straight to him and grab the front of my favorite shirt.

“I’m sick of it!” From the corner of my eye, I see Ranger’s ears lay back, but I don’t care.

Stuart’s brow lowers. “Sick of what?”

“Stop treating me like a fucking China doll!”

“Mariska—”

“No!” I push him, but he doesn’t move. The man is a wall of granite. “Before you knew, before I told you, when I was already twelve weeks pregnant, if I left you in the bed alone one morning… One! You were pissed!”

He’s fighting the urge to grin, but I won’t have it. I push against his arms and grab the front of his shirt, shoving it up his lined torso.

“What are you doing?” He tries to catch my hands, but I push his away.

“You’re going to fuck me right here and now in this stall.”

“What the…” He steps forward, past me to the door of the stall and looks out into the barn. “Where’s Amy?”