Baby Stetson (Love and Music in Texas #1) (15 page)

“Ahh, woman. You’re amazing.” With one swift touch he knew she would be over the edge. Avery nearly screamed as she rocked from side to side. Lucas lifted himself off of her, keeping his eyes on her as he reached for his wallet in the back pocket of his pants. The moment was now.

“Lucas,” Avery whimpered. “You’re- that was-” She fought to catch her breath. Lucas smiled. He had what he needed in his hand and he bounced back on the bed beside her.

Lucas tore open the package and rolled the condom over his cock. Avery moaned again when his penis rubbed against her opening. Her legs were still numb and tingly from the orgasms he’d just given her. Avery couldn’t believe he’d stopped her from pleasing him just to pleasure her. When he entered her, Avery touched his face, his expression changing. His eyes were so warm and tender, as he kept his gaze fixated on her. Locks of dark hair fell over his eyes, and with her free hand, Avery smoothed them away. Lucas started off slow, steady. He felt so good, so right. So- so utterly amazing.

“Avery- I’m not going to last long,” Lucas grunted. “I’m sorry.”

Sorry? What did he have to be sorry about?

Avery ran her fingers through his hair, moving in motion with Lucas. He rocked her in slow motion. Avery leaned up to kiss his lips, his face, and his neck. She just wanted to be close to him.

Lucas cried out. To Avery’s surprise, another orgasm rippled through her, more intense than the one prior. Her piercing shout rang louder than Lucas’s. He fell on top of her, breathing heavily on her neck. “Wow.”

Wow indeed. That was intense. Avery tried to catch her breath.

A few moments of silence passed, then Lucas rested his head on his hand, peering over at her again. “Hey, I’m sorry.”

“Lucas, what do you have to be sorry about?” Avery asked.

“I didn’t last that long. I wanted to make everything last, but-”

Avery silenced him with a kiss. “Lucas, you have nothing to apologize for. I have no complaints. Everything was perfect.” She pulled her arm from under him and snuggled up beside him.

“I don’t know where things are going from here.”

Was he nervous or something?

“Neither do I, but we’ll just take it as it comes, okay?” Avery pressed a kiss to his cheek and smiled. “I know there’s no promise for things, and I knew that before we made love tonight. I’m not going to ask for a commitment. We’re both adults, so let’s just see what happens. Sound fair?”

Lucas looked like he was about to argue, but instead shut his mouth, then smiled. What a sexy smile he had. She wished he would smile like that more often. “Okay then. I guess that’s all there’s to it.”

Avery shifted and stretched. “You want to take a shower with me?”

“More naked Avery? Hmm, I don’t think there’s much to complain about there.”

“Race you.” Avery untangled herself from Lucas’s embrace and bolted toward the connected bathroom. She turned on the water and let it run for a few before adjusting the temperature. Soft footsteps came up behind her, and then an arm wrapped around her from behind. “I hope you like it hot.” Avery reached into the shower and felt the water. Perfect.

“Well, I like you, don’t I?” Avery turned her head to see Lucas’s grin in the reflection of her mirror.

“Ha ha, aren’t you funny.” Avery stepped into the large tub and made room for him. As he entered, Avery couldn’t help but marvel at his broad shoulders, large biceps and chest. He looked so good. She ran a hand over his shoulders, down his chest, just needing to feel him.

“I try to be.” Lucas reached for her again. “You wouldn’t by chance be up for another round, would you?” The hunger in his eyes sent her into a shudder, despite the hot water splashing over her body.

“With you, I could run a marathon and still have energy.”

“Oh?” Droplets of water dripped from his hair and landed on Avery’s cheek. His face only inches from hers, he leaned in to kiss her again. “Damn, Avery. I can’t stop myself around you.”

“I guess it helps that I don’t want you to stop yourself then, doesn’t it?”

*****

How many times had they made love only hours before? Lucas lie awake, snug under the covers next to Avery’s sleeping form. Who knew she had so much to offer? The shower scene still played in his mind when she showed him just how much she could take.

If only he could get his mind to rest, as it raced with random, mixed thoughts and feelings. If things were different, he could start something with Avery and never look back. Hell, too late for starting, because it had already begun. Lucas had feelings that ran a little deeper, which caught him completely off guard. He didn’t know what to do about them either. Now that they’d had such a night, he had to come clean with her, but he just didn’t know how. She would hate him. Especially when he could only reveal part of what he knew.

Why, oh why had he come in tonight? He could have said no. Walked away. Gone back to his room and never let things get so heated, so out of hand.

But when Avery looked so scared, so nervous, he found it hard to say no. She had a persuasive way about her.

Careful not to wake Avery up, Lucas touched her cheek. They’d fallen asleep nestled in each other’s arms. Lucas couldn’t recall the last time, if ever, that he’d stayed in a woman’s bed after sex. It wasn’t just sex with Avery. He wanted to give her so much more.

But how could he be anything more to her when he hadn’t told her the truth about who he was?

A loud banging sound startled Lucas awake. What the hell was that? He practically jumped out bed. Then he remembered. He’d stayed with Avery, not at the inn. Everything came rushing back.

But the sounds- were her parents back?

“Avery. Honey.” Lucas shook her shoulder. “Wake up.”

“Mmmm,” Avery mumbled, pushing his hand away.

So she was a heavy sleeper. Lucky her. Lucas only wished he could sleep like that. Right now, she needed to be awake. If it was indeed her parents, Lucas didn’t want to be greeting them at the door with a blunt object in hand. Then again, he didn’t want to subject Avery to an intruder. Shit.

But if it were her parents, wouldn’t they just be in the house by now? No, this sounded more like someone wanted to get in.

Fuck.

Quit contemplating and get the hell down there, dummy.

At least he was partly dressed. Lucas swung his legs over the bed, his feet hitting the hardwood as he felt for his shirt. If it happened to be her mom and dad, so what? They’d probably be glad to know he wouldn’t let their daughter meet up face to face with an intruder.

Lucas moved swiftly in the dark. The stairs creaked beneath his weight.

Sure enough, someone was outside, attempting to get in. What could he use? Hopefully the person at the other end of that door didn’t have a gun or something. Damn it. Maybe he shouldn’t have played hero. He and Avery could have found a way out if need be, right?

Lucas grabbed hold of a broom, as it was the closest thing to him when the door burst open and light flickered on. He came face to face with a woman in her late forties, maybe. She screamed just as Lucas held back the broom.

“Who the hell are you?” she demanded. The woman carried a purse and a duffel bag with her. She didn’t look like a robber, but then one never knew anymore.

“Maybe I should be asking you that.”

“This is my parents’ house. I did not expect to find a man in the living room when I know they are at the hospital.”

Her parents? What?

“What is going on?” Avery’s sleepy voice startled Lucas. He turned to see her at the stairwell, rubbing her eyes and staring at the woman.

“Okay, now this is getting stranger. Who are- Oh, you’re the adopted kid, aren’t you?” the woman asked, glaring at Avery. She set her bag down beside the couch and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Paula?” Avery asked.

“Yeah, that’s me. So you’re the one who Mom and Dad took in soon after I left. This your guy?” Paula jerked her thumb at Lucas, giving him a dirty look.

“Something like that.” Avery sounded more awake and alert now. She crossed the threshold into the living room, now standing by his side. Lucas slipped an arm around her shoulders.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you would show up.”

How awkward. Lucas could tell that Avery had never met the woman before. Poor thing.

“Well, it’s been long overdue. I’ve ... had things to deal with. Though I haven’t been around, I’ve kept tabs on Mom and Dad. We talk, just not often enough. When I got the message about Mom being in the hospital, I came in as quickly as possible. I didn’t have a key, and I thought I’d just attempt to get in. I didn’t think about you being here, or I would have called. I’m sorry for scaring you.” She sounded sincere enough, but the woman still glared at them as if they were intruders. “I don’t suppose there’s a room for me to stay in? Did you take it over?” She shot an accusatory look at Avery.

What a bitch! Avery didn’t deserve that kind of attitude from this woman.

Lucas felt Avery’s body stiffen. “No, I don’t have your room. It’s still available. I stay up in the attic room. I’ve always loved it ever since I was little.” The hurt in Avery’s voice made Lucas’s blood boil. He held his tongue.

He didn’t like the Paula woman much, but it was only a first impression, and in a situation as odd as this, he supposed he couldn’t blame her for being so irritated. It’s not often one met their adopted sister at such a late stage in their life.

“Are you hungry?”

“I’ll make myself something later. Right now I think I’ll just catch a nap and then go see my parents when I wake up later.” Paula pushed right past them. The way she emphasized on the words ‘my parents’ gave Lucas an inclination that she was jealous of Avery. As the woman shuffled up the stairs without a backwards glance, Avery trembled slightly.

“She doesn’t seem to care for me much,” Avery muttered.

“No, it doesn’t look that way. Let it roll, honey. She is tired, and you’ve just met. I imagine that once you two get to know each other, maybe she’ll realize you’re wonderful and not out to steal the spotlight or something.”

Avery glanced up at him, tears in her eyes. “I suppose you’re right. It just caught me off guard. Thank you, Lucas.”

“You’re welcome, Avery.” He wrapped her up in a hug. “Why don’t we go back to bed? Catch a few hours more of sleep.”

Avery nodded as she let out a yawn. “Coming back with me?”

Hell yes. He wouldn’t leave her now, not with another stranger in the house. Sure, Paula was probably harmless, but right now Lucas wasn’t taking any chances. Besides, he enjoyed having someone next to him in bed. Not just anyone. Avery. “Absolutely.”

Avery checked the doors, turned off the light, and the two made their way back upstairs to her bedroom. Lucas peeled back the comforter and slipped underneath it, waiting for Avery to settle in before pulling her close for a snuggle.

When the lights went out, they were quiet, until Lucas heard a sigh. “Hey.” He ruffled her hair. “Are you okay?”

“Yes and no,” came her sleepy reply. Lucas found Avery’s hand and squeezed it.

“Want to talk about it?”

Avery laughed. “How much time do you have?”

“For you, as much as you need.”

“Right now, I’m thinking of all the new people in my life, and how they are all affecting me. That includes you, Lucas. I just- how is it we made love last night and I don’t think I even know your last name? There’s so much I don’t know about you. You’re shrouded in secrecy.”

He couldn’t deny that one. Oh, how he wanted to tell her things. Avery was the kind of woman that made Lucas want to change his life. Coming here had it’s downfalls, but meeting Avery, being with her- that changed his outlook. If only it could be more than what it was now. But first, he would have to come clean, and what would that do?

“Bennett. My last name is Bennett,” Lucas said softly. That was a start. Would that ever be enough for her, absolutely not. Lucas had a shady past. Why would Avery ever want to know about that? She lived a decent life. What had Avery ever done wrong?

Okay, that wasn’t fair. Just because Avery didn’t run around with people that didn’t have it that great didn’t mean a thing. She was a big girl and could probably handle anything that came her way. If Lucas knew one thing about Avery, it was that she could hold her own. She was a strong woman.

Well, almost anything. Her life was changing everyday. Lucas saw it the entire time he had been here. He was part of that change now.

“Okay, Lucas Bennett. So now I know your last name.” Avery slid a finger across his cheek. “Sorry. I shouldn’t ramble so much. What I should do is get some rest. But now I’m wide awake.”

So was Lucas. In more ways than one.

“I don’t think you’re rambling, and I don’t mind.” Her touch soothed him. She had a graceful touch, one that held Lucas captive. But he enjoyed it. Enjoyed her.

“Why did you come to Harmony’s Echo, Lucas?” Avery sounded half asleep now. Maybe she was more tired than she thought. Within moments, she sounded like she was asleep. Her breathing became shallow.

Lucas stroked her hair, holding her close.

I want to tell you everything. It’s something I should have done, despite what’s at stake. I don’t want to lose you.

Softly, he kissed her cheek, then whispered, “I came for you, Avery. I’m here for you.”

*****

Avery woke to the sound of a phone ringing. She cracked an eyelid open. Slivers of sunlight broke through the blinds from the window. What time was it now? Yawning, she reached for the phone. Lucas lay sprawled across the bed, still asleep.

When she attempted to answer her phone and heard it still ring, reality struck. It wasn’t her phone going off. It must be Lucas’s. It laid in plain sight on top of Lucas’s pants on the floor by the bed. Avery squinted to see the caller ID, but the number was blocked. The ringing and blocked number only made her more curious and before she could think things through, Avery reached for his phone and hit the answer button. Then she freaked, not sure what to do. She couldn’t even muster up the nerve to say hello, but the person on the other end of the phone started talking frantically. It was a woman. Not a young one. She sounded older.