Right Here Waiting Read online

  The smile left his face. “Okay, okay. I’ll stop, but seriously think about this: If you have already had sex with this man, and if it's all he wants from you, why does he keep coming back for more and acts as if he owns you?”

  “I think you’re imagining things, Josh Burton. Has the polluted city air finally started killing off all of your brain cells?”

  “Joke all you want, Meg if it makes you feel safe, but mark my words, Blade Thorne wants now and forever with you. Could Josh be right?

  * * *

  Later in the night as she lay in bed, struggling for sleep to come, with only a wall separating her and Blade, she thought about what Josh said to her earlier. She refused to admit it could be true. If she did, it would leave her heart open and unprotected. It was too big of a risk for her to take.

  She was suddenly feeling hot and drenched in sweat. She was unsure if she was sweating from the summer heat, or if thinking about Blade was making her sweat. Maybe it was a little of both.

  She needed a cold shower, but she would settle for a cold drink of water instead. She climbed out of bed, not bothering to put a robe on to cover the sheer nightgown she was wearing; she made her way over to the door. She opened it and stepped out into the hallway. She quietly went downstairs, not wanting to wake Blade.

  As she was entering the kitchen, she thought back to earlier in the day when she was out at her old tree house, she could have sworn she felt someone watching her. Perhaps it was Blade. It was impossible she tried to convince herself. It was her imagination playing tricks on her.

  She stopped and was debating if she should turn the light on or not when someone came up behind her and grabbed her. She let out a sharp gasp, and a hand clamped over her mouth. Her heart was beating so fast she thought it was going to jump out of her chest. She was getting ready to stomp the foot of whoever had her, but she didn't get a chance to.

  “Shhh…” Blade whispered as he turned her around to face him. Although it was dark, she could tell he was only wearing a pair of pajama bottoms, and his chest was bare. She stepped forward and right into his embrace. It felt good there.

  “You scared me,” she whispered. “Don’t sneak up on me again.” She could only imagine what she could have done to him if he didn't reveal himself when he did.

  “I scared you? You scared me. I thought you were an intruder.” She grinned.

  “Maybe I should be thanking my lucky stars you weren’t packing a gun,” she hissed playfully.

  “I don’t own a gun, except for a hunting rifle, and I’m not in the habit of sneaking through the house with it. What are you doing out of bed at this time of night, anyway?”

  “I was too hot and I couldn’t sleep, so I got up to get a drink of water. I'm sorry I woke you up.”

  “Tell me about it. Let’s get a drink and I’ll take you to bed.” From the moonlight shining through the window, she could see he possessed a devilish gleam in his eyes causing her heart to skip a beat. Did he mean in his bed?

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  She could feel his eyes on her as she sipped her water. She licked her lips nervously, and as she did, she heard a low growl come from somewhere deep within him. She fought the desire to look at him, but she was powerless. She seemed to lose all control when she was near Blade. She tilted her head and looked up at him.

  His eyes were dark with desire. Did he see the same thing reflected in her eyes? In an instant, their eyes locked. Without breaking contact, Blade reached out and took her glass from her. He placed it on the counter next to his own.

  He began moving closer to her. She tried to step back to put distance between them, but her feet stayed firmly planted to the floor and wouldn't budge. A shiver went through her as he reached for her hand. She placed it in his. It was like a jolt of electricity when their fingers made contact.

  She was still lost in the deep recesses of his eyes when he whispered, “Let’s go to bed.” She felt as if she were in a trance.

  She wasn’t sure what he meant by his words, but she allowed him to guide her out of the kitchen and up the stairs. She wasn’t sure why she did it, but she let out a sigh of relief when he passed up her bedroom and continued on to his own.

  As soon as the door was closed behind them, he pressed her against it, kissing her greedily, tasting the sweet nectar she possessed. When they came up for air, she whispered, “Blade, what if Martha wakes up and catches us both in here together?”

  “Don’t worry,” he whispered in her ear. The heat of his breath on ear and neck made her shiver. “She sleeps in one of the guest cabins, remember? She’ll never hear us.” She silently chided herself for being so silly.

  She relaxed as he placed his hands on her waist. He slid his hands up, sliding her nightgown up at the same time. Her breaths were coming in small short gasps. Her skin burned and tingled under his touch. If only every night could be this magical.

  She looped her thumbs in the waistband of his pajama bottoms and tried to pull them off, but he stopped her. “Not yet,” he whispered.

  He seemed to want to take things slow, but she wasn’t sure if she could handle it. She could feel a fire deep within her which was burning out of control. “More, she whispered as he leaned in, and started trailing fiery hot kisses along her neck, throat, and finally over the swells of her breasts.

  He stopped long enough to slip her nightgown over her head, letting it slide to the floor in a pool. He reached behind her and flicked the light on. The brightness it created flooded the room.

  He was breathing heavier as he looked at her. “I’ve never seen anything more magnificent,” he whispered to her. He sank his hands into the long, brown strands of her hair which cascaded over her slender shoulders. He pulled her to him and kissed her lips hungrily.

  She grasped his shoulders, digging her nails into his flesh. She let her hands roam freely, sliding them down his smooth, broad chest. The fit of their bodies amazed her. It seemed as if they were made for one another. She splayed her fingers out on his chest, loving the feel of it.

  His kisses, like hot little flames began raining down her neck and shoulders. It was torture. She wasn’t sure how much more she could take, yet she didn't want him to stop. Her whole world felt as if it were spinning out of control. She grabbed hold of him to keep herself steady on her feet.

  This time when she looped her thumbs into the waistband on his pajama bottoms and pulled down on them, he didn’t stop her. They fell down around his ankles and he stepped back long enough to step out of them. He stood naked in front of her. With his rock hard muscles, he was a magnificent piece of art.

  She allowed her gaze to travel downward until it reached his manhood. She licked her lips in anticipation, longing to feel him in her again. She saw a spark of desire in his eyes, darkening them more than they already were. He let out a ragged moan, which nearly made her come undone.

  “Come,” he whispered, holding out his hand to her. She grasped on to it, as if it were a life preserver and her life depended on it. She allowed him to guide her towards his California king size bed.

  He waited until she lay down before he joined her. When she felt the weight of his body on hers, she moaned with longing. Her skin tingled beneath him.

  He kissed her again until they were both gasping for air. When he caught his breath, he began a shower of torturous kisses along her neck and shoulders. Whenever his lips made contact with her flesh, it felt as if flames were dancing on her bare skin.

  “Blade?” she practically cried out.

  He stopped and looked at her. “What is it?” He looked startled.

  “Make love to me,” she pleaded.

  “I am,” he whispered before hooking his fingers in her hair and kissing her.

  When he moved lower, she whispered, “Blade, what are you doing?” She froze as she realized where he was headed.

  “Shhh…” he whispered and continued on his downward exploration.

  She gasped as one finger, followed by two fingers parted her
fleshy folds and dipped inside her, preparing her for him. He was stroking the flames into a fiery passion burning out of control.

  When she felt she was getting close to climax, to her disappointment, which didn't last long, he pulled them out. “Now you’re ready,” he whispered as he positioned himself over her.

  He entered her. His chest heaved as he breathed in deep breaths. She closed her eyes, and felt him plunge into her. She relaxed the best she could, enjoying the feel of him as he stroked the fire within her.

  “This is where you belong,” he cried out. “Right here in my bed, for the rest of our lives.” She was startled by his confession.

  Josh’s words rang in her ears. "Mark my words; Blade Thorne wants you now and forever." It was too late to stop what was already happening now. They both came undone together. Blade filled her, possessed her, in ways no other man would be able to.

  * * *

  The next morning she opened her eyes. Sunlight seeped through the window and reflected off from Blade’s dark hair. As she watched him sleeping, memories of the night before came slamming back in full force. She almost groaned out loud at the sensation.

  She could hear Martha moving around downstairs. Oh great! She flung an arm over her forehead. What if she discovered their sleeping arrangement? She needed to figure out how to get out of Blade’s bedroom and into her own without getting caught.

  She recalled how upset Blade became the last time she tried to sneak out of bed and the last thing she needed was another fight with him and Martha hearing them. If that happened, Martha would know exactly what happened between her and Blade. She would just have to lie there and wait for him to wake up. She would have to talk to him when he did. She knew it wouldn’t be easy though.

  She thought she made herself clear to Blade the last time this happened. She specifically told him they couldn’t have sex anymore. It was apparent she didn't get through to him or he wouldn't have brought her to his room last night. She also knew she was half the blame for the situation she was in and it didn't make her feel any better.

  "This is where you belong, right here in my bed, for the rest of our lives", he cried out last night. What did he mean by that? Did he want a sexual relationship with her for the rest of their lives? He never mentioned anything about love. What kind of woman did he take her for?

  Blade Thorne and late nights were a lethal combination these days. It seemed when she got near him after everyone else went to bed, she found herself in this situation with him the next morning.

  He began to stir in his sleep. He slowly opened his eyes and a smile made itself at home on his face, which was covered in early morning stubble. He was too attractive for his own good. Maybe he was too attractive. She fought off the urge to run her fingers over it. She clasped her hands together.

  “What a beautiful sight to wake up to,” Blade said as he leisurely stretched. “I must have died and gone to heaven.” Okay, so he didn't regret what they did.

  “Don’t you think we should get up and get dressed for breakfast?” She was afraid if they didn't, she would repeat the same mistake for a third time, only it would be in the light of day.

  As if on cue, the devilish look he gave her the night before appeared in his eyes again. “Darling, as far as I’m concerned, you are my breakfast.” He grinned and tried to reach for her, but she rolled away from him. She was feeling annoyed.

  “We need to talk.” She needed to get through to him.

  “Can’t it wait ‘til later? Right now there are much more important things on my mind.” Like what? She wondered. As far as she was concerned, the only thing that mattered was getting herself out of his bed without getting caught and seeing to it that she never found herself anywhere near a bed with Blade Thorne again.

  Anger flared up in her, but she tried not to let it show. What did he think she was? Did he think she was his plaything? “That's what I need to talk to you about.”

  He frowned, deep lines creasing his forehead. She could tell he was irritated, but she couldn’t back down. “What?” All playfulness was out of his voice.

  “I know we’ve talked about this subject once before and I hope this is the last time I have to repeat it. Last night wasn’t supposed to happen. I told you before we couldn't be doing this.”

  Anger blazed in his steel gray eyes. “If I remember right, I heard no complaints from you last night. In fact, you were begging for it.” She gasped at his accusation.

  “I was not,” she snapped, her anger bubbling up within her. She jumped out of bed and grabbed her nightgown up off the floor, covering herself with it. She turned to him. “Last night was the last time you and I have sex, got it?” She moved toward the door.

  “Oh yeah, I forgot. You’re Megan Nelson. Ms. Sophisticated City Girl now. Is this how you city folks do it? You screw them and leave them?” How could he say such things about her?

  She gasped. “You are the cruelest man I know, Blade Thorne.”

  She ran from his room and into her own, slamming the door behind her and locking it. She sank to the floor, her back leaning against the door. Her tears began to fall in deep sobs that shook her whole body.

  Seconds later she heard Blade’s door open, and the sound of him banging on hers, but she ignored him. She couldn't even look at him right now, let alone talk to him.

  How could her parents do this to her? Was the ranch really worth all this heartache? Maybe she should sign it over to Blade and get it over with. She would call the attorney later today.

  * * *

  “Come on Megan, please open the door. I’m sorry and I take back what I said." He desperately wished he could take the words back.

  She didn’t respond. The only thing he could hear was the sounds of her sobs. It twisted his heart, knowing he was the cause of her tears and all the sadness she was going through. He never meant to hurt her. He wanted her so bad each time she withdrew from him; it unleashed the anger in him and he exploded, saying things he didn't mean.

  “What is going on up here?” Martha asked, coming up behind Blade who was standing outside Megan’s bedroom door in just his pajama bottoms. “Why are you shouting?”

  “There was a misunderstanding,” Blade explained, “and now she is refusing to talk to me.”

  Martha flinched when she heard Megan sobbing. She pinned her glare on Blade. “What did you do to the girl?”

  “I said some things to her I shouldn’t have. I wish she would talk to me.” He knew if he didn't watch it, he was going to lose Megan again and his heart wouldn't be able to take it.

  “What did you say to her?” she asked, jabbing him in the chest with her index finger.

  “I all but called her a slut.” He groaned, hating the sound of his own words as he said them out loud. Megan must really hate him now.

  Martha’s mouth hung open in shock. “You ought to be ashamed of yourself, young man. I wouldn’t talk to you either.” She turned and walked back downstairs.

  That was just great. Not only was Megan mad at him, but Martha was mad at him as well. He couldn’t win for losing. He stomped back to his room to get dressed, hoping for the chance to make this all up to Megan later in the afternoon.

  * * *

  Megan stuffed the last of her clothes into her suitcase, not caring if her clothes were unfolded and getting wrinkled. There was no way she was spending another night under the same roof as Blade. She never wanted to lay eyes on him again. Her heart was broken enough by him. She wasn’t going to allow him to do it again.

  She lugged her suitcase downstairs. Before she could get out the door Martha stepped in front of her and stopped her. At least it wasn’t Blade. She looked around and didn’t see him anywhere. She was relieved and relaxed a little.

  “Where are you going?”

  “It’s not you,” she sighed, the sad look in her eyes speaking volumes. She knew Martha understood. The sympathetic expression was there, playing all over her face. “You’ve been great as always, but I can’t stay
one more night in this house.”

  “But where will you go?” She could tell Martha was worried by the tone of her voice.

  “I’m moving back into the cabin.” She should have been more persistent with Blade and stayed there last night. Megan knew she wouldn't be in this mess now if she did.

  “What about Josh?” What did everyone here have against poor Josh? He hadn’t done anything wrong that she was aware of.

  “If you’re worried about our sleeping arrangements, I’ll be sleeping on the sofa.”

  Martha looked relieved. “Will you at least come and sit down and have a cup of coffee with me?” Megan was tempted to take her up on her offer, but still, she worried.

  “I don’t know,” she said, looking around nervously.” What if Blade walked in? Leave it to Martha to know exactly what she was thinking.

  “Don’t worry about Blade. He needed to go out to the far north pasture with some of the other men to repair a fence. Some of Old Man Farley’s cattle knocked it down again. It’ll be a few hours before he’ll be back. I still have some peanut butter cookies left,” she added when Megan still seemed reluctant.

  She managed a slight smile. “You are good at bribing people, you know? You’ve got yourself a deal.” She could rarely resist anything Martha baked.

  She set her suitcase down and followed Martha into the kitchen. A fresh pot of coffee just finished percolating. She began to suspect Martha was watching and waiting for her to come out of her bedroom, and she planned on them having coffee together.

  She sat down at the kitchen table and accepted the hot, steaming cup of brew Martha offered her. She slowly took a sip, trying not to scald her tongue.

  Martha set a plate of peanut butter cookies on the table and sat down across from her. “Do you want to talk about it?” Martha asked in her caring, motherly tone. She missed the talks she used have with Martha in her younger years, but she wasn’t sure how much she should tell Martha, if she said anything at all about her plans.

  She already called the attorney and arranged to meet him in his office later in the afternoon. She decided to hold off telling anyone anything until she already did what she needed to do.