Chasing a Dream Read online

  She held his gaze for a moment, trembling. “He wasn’t my husband.”

  Justin knitted his brow in confusion. “I thought you said—”

  “He always called me his wife. Probably believed I was somehow, but we were never legally married. He took me in at a time when I had nowhere else to go.”

  Justin’s expression mellowed. He brushed a hand along her cheek, while he squeezed his eyes shut. “Tess . . .”

  She held her breath, knowing somehow what he was about to say and uncertain how to respond.

  “I want to make love to you,” he whispered, confirming her instinct.

  Her chest tightened, making it hard to breathe, impossible to speak. As he opened his eyes to look at her again, the tenderness and understanding in his gaze made her soul cry with longing. She needed what he was offering. She wanted him to fill the void Randall had left inside her, wished with every fiber of her being that she could feel whole just once. But what would it cost her in the long run if she opened herself to Justin’s affection?

  “I’m scared, Justin.”

  “Of what? Not of me? Please, Tess. Don’t be ever scared of me.” He sank his fingers into her hair and cradled her head between his palms.

  She shook her head in denial. “No. Not of you.”

  “Tell me to go to hell, Tess, and I’ll walk away right now. I won’t touch you.”

  What went unspoken was the promise that if she said nothing, if she didn’t send him away, he would make good his desire. That possibility captivated Tess. The sound of her own heartbeat drummed in her ears when she thought of making love to this man. For the past two days, she’d laughed with him, shared confidences with him, found inspiration from him. In some ways, she’d already been more intimate with Justin than she’d ever been with Randall.

  “Justin, I . . .” She searched for a way to tell him what was in her heart, a way to understand it herself, but what she felt defied explanation.

  He waited a beat, then another, for her objection before lowering his lips to hers. His kiss whispered across her lips, soft, patient, tentative. Sparks shot through her veins. When he withdrew, no more than a fraction of an inch, she gasped at her body’s dramatic reaction.

  “Tess?”

  “I’m all right. I . . .” She met his gaze, and the rest of her sentence lodged in her throat. Eyes that she thought she’d memorized looked into hers, smoky with desire, dark with passion.

  When he kissed her again, his mouth conducted a seductive exploration, testing, searching for just the right angle to fit more fully on hers. She moved her lips against his in return, matching the gentle suction and caress of his mouth with her own. A flutter stirred deep inside her.

  Justin didn’t rush her. The taut muscles in his arms, his shallow, uneven breathing, and the heavy thumping of his heart under her hand gave evidence to his restraint.

  Finding the throbbing pulse in his neck with her lips, she trailed soft kisses across his jaw until she found his lips again. A rumble of pleasure vibrated from his throat as he lowered her to the mattress, following her down. He raked fingers through her hair while he nipped and teased her lips. He deepened his kiss with a possessiveness that stole her breath. A foreign thrill spiraled through her, leaving her dizzy in its wake.

  He broke the kiss briefly, finding her eyes with a piecing blue gaze. “Tess, honey, you are a lady in the truest sense of the word. Please believe that. Don’t ever doubt it. And don’t be scared anymore. Not tonight. Not ever. Not with me.”

  She searched the pleading, earnest appeal in his eyes and lost herself in the promise of sweet comfort he offered. He caressed her cheek and pressed his warm lips to the side of her throat.

  “You have two freckles.” He nuzzled her skin. “Right here. I’ve wanted to taste them since the first moment I saw them, for what feels like forever.” He kissed her neck with a hot, wet, open-mouthed fervor, and a long-forgotten ardor unfurled in her and raced through her blood.

  Slowly he released one then another button on her blouse. His lips followed his fingers down the valley between her breasts as he parted the fabric. The scratch of his stubbled cheeks on the swell of her breasts and the sweep of his thumbs across her nipples electrified her every nerve ending. He opened her blouse and trailed soft kisses and feathered strokes across her belly. Losing herself in his tender touch involved no more than closing her eyes and letting the sound of his voice lull her.

  “So lovely,” he murmured.

  She trembled when he pushed the lacy demicup of her bra away. He bared the rosy bud of her nipple then grazed it with his tongue.

  Everything Justin did stood in stark contrast to the way Randall had treated her. Where Randall grabbed, Justin caressed. Where Randall ripped, Justin showed care. Where Randall ravaged, Justin soothed. Justin was loving, tender, coaxing. Randall had been thoughtless, rough, demanding.

  The sweetness of Justin’s careful, gentle ministrations made her body hum with bliss and gratitude. He made her feel wanted, cherished, feminine in a way she’d never felt in her life. He made her happy. Arching her back, she allowed him access to unhook her bra, then helped him slide it off with her blouse. Discarding her clothes on the floor, he raked his gaze over her with an open appreciation, his pupils dilating with desire. Tess gave him the same scrutiny and felt her blood heat.

  Reaching for him, drawing her hand down the wide, firm plane of his chest, she savored the tickle of the crisp, dark hair and the heat of his skin, which she’d disregarded earlier. Justin sighed his satisfaction when she added her kisses to the wandering of her hands.

  Twisting his leg around hers and sliding his arm around her waist, he rolled to his back and pulled her on top of his long, hard body. Cupping the back of her head with one hand and a breast with the other, he took her mouth again with a hungry, heated kiss. His lips claimed and plundered then slowed and soothed, building a need in her for his total possession.

  The sensations that he brought alive in her were new. Never before had she imagined her body could respond to a man’s touch and kisses with the powerful surges of craving and emotion that swirled in her, leaving her head swimming. An escalating longing for release coiled in her womb.

  He moved his hands to pull her hips down against his groin and rubbed the steely length of himself along the juncture of her thighs. Her breathing grew quick and choppy. She heard Justin’s answering moan when he rolled on top of her again. He tugged on her shorts and panties until she could kick them off. Then turning on his back at her side, he freed his legs of his jeans and briefs in one swift, efficient motion. He gathered her against his nakedness and pulled the sheet over them.

  Her curves molded to his contours. His rigid, muscled body absorbed her yielding softness as if they were made to fit together.

  “You feel wonderful,” he mumbled as he nuzzled her neck, her ear, her hair.

  She slid her fingers up the curve of his spine and across his broad shoulders. His hands skimmed over her skin, arousing, adoring, and she reveled in the heavenly tenderness. The warmth from his body enveloped her in their cocoon under the sheet, and Tess savored the security in his nearness. Yearning numbed her mind to everything except the sweet sensations Justin elicited with his touch. Need replaced logic. Hunger obliterated reality. When he wedged a leg between her thighs, she opened herself to him, and he nudged her with his erection.

  “Look at me, Tess,” he whispered.

  She obeyed, though her eyelids were heavy. As he entered her, his blue gaze penetrated her, reached for her soul, and branded her heart. Once he was buried deep inside her body, he kissed her softly and whispered, “You’re free of him. Don’t ever look back. You belong with me now.”

  He withdrew then slid back inside, moving slowly, stroking her, encouraging the pulsing beat that promised her the height of ecstasy. She lifted her hips and joined him in a motion that bound their bodies in an age-old rhythm.

  “Oh, Tess. Sweet Tess.” Increasing the tempo, he boosted the s
weet harmony of their fusion.

  She clutched his shoulders and closed her eyes as he carried her higher, further into a state of unbelievable bliss until oblivion enfolded her. When she opened her eyes and lifted a stunned and dreamy-eyed gaze to his, Justin’s eyes still held her with a loving warmth and encouragement. He flashed her a sultry grin, then with a final deep thrust, he joined her in a shuddering release. His body shook, and he drew her tightly against his chest as he sucked in deep breaths in the aftermath of his climax. He pressed his lips to the top of her head then tipped her chin up so that he could cover her face with tiny, butterfly kisses.

  “Sweet Tess. My Tess,” he murmured as he held her.

  That should have been the end of it according to Tess’s experience. But Justin’s gentle caresses, the soft, warm press of his lips, the whispered endearments didn’t cease. He continued to lull, to comfort, to thrill her well into the night. He made love to her again, brought her to the heights of ecstasy and always, always treated her to the loving tenderness and respect that shone in his eyes. As Tess fell asleep that night, her body was sated, and she was wrapped in the safety and heat of Justin’s protective arms.

  But her heart ached with a searing regret. While Justin had given her a memory she would cherish for the rest of her life, she had put a price on his head. As her lover, Justin became Randall’s enemy number one. She could delay the inevitable no longer. One way or another, she had to break free of Justin.

  Tomorrow.

  CHAPTER NINE

  The room was warm. Actually, stifling better described it. Justin had guessed the run-down, rat-hole motel wouldn’t have a decent air conditioner, but considering he’d imposed on Tess’s good will and generosity, he had no right to gripe. At least he’d had a bed to sleep in last night.

  The stirring of the soft body beside him brought his gaze down to the face, flushed pink from the heat, that rested on his shoulder. Pressing a light kiss to Tess’s clammy forehead, he sighed.

  He wondered how she would feel this morning about what had happened between them last night. Although he hadn’t regretted a minute of it, he wasn’t the one fleeing an abusive jerk. He wasn’t the one whose self-esteem had been so pounded by a thoughtless bastard that she believed herself a whore.

  Their lovemaking could prove to reinforce that idea in her mind. He’d have to be certain that by morning’s light, she didn’t beat herself up over what, to him, had been an exquisite and moving experience. As he reflected on the evening they’d spent together, one thing stood out, one thing besides the earth-shaking sensation of completion he’d felt when he joined their bodies. Even before he’d touched her, even before she’d caught his jeans and stopped him from walking back to his guitar, he’d sensed a unique connection with her. Her unconditional belief in his eventual success in Nashville, her unfailing support and faith in his ability to see his dream to fruition, fed a hunger inside him. She alone shared his vision, his confidence in his talent.

  Except for Becca.

  He’d wanted success to cover some part of his liability for letting Rebecca down with Mac. Guilt and a determination to make Becca proud fueled his mission, his goal of recognition in Nashville. Tess made him believe, really believe, it was possible. Her eyes had glowed with admiration while she watched him play his guitar.

  When she let down the protective guard that held her at bay, he glimpsed the depth of her trust and confidence in his promise to protect her, too. Her unspoken faith in his capabilities as her guardian chipped away at his doubts and his compunction over his failure with Becca. His heart filled with affection for the woman who’d encouraged him and renewed his conviction to make up for his past mistakes.

  And then they’d shared a night of unbelievable passion and mind-blowing sex. Had he ever really loved Amy the way he thought he had? She’d never given him the same feeling of wholeness, the inspiring support or unqualified faith that Tess did.

  But whatever it was he felt for Tess, one inescapable fact remained. He couldn’t get emotionally involved with her. As easy as it would be to convince himself he was falling in love with her, he could never give her what she needed or deserved in a relationship. He was bound to break her heart, and he couldn’t live with that fact.

  She needed someone who could provide her the security and peace of mind her life with her husband had lacked. He lived life by the seat of his pants. In the past, when he did accept responsibility in some form, he had never followed through. Rebecca had suffered from his failure. Amy had drifted away from him due to his lack of commitment. He’d left college to help Rebecca, quit his construction job to chase a dream, and had barely enough money to make it to Nashville.

  No, he was not the kind of man Tess needed complicating her life. Once he saw her safely hidden away where her husband couldn’t hurt her, his sense of honor dictated that he part company with Tess. She needed someone she could depend on for the long haul. His track record proved him unreliable. Stubborn, yes. Determined, definitely. But more often than not, a disappointment in the long term.

  Tess’s hair tickled his arm, drawing him out of his musings. When he brushed it back behind her ear, her eyelids fluttered, and she peered up at him with sleepy, hazel eyes.

  “Mornin’,” he drawled, tugging one side of his mouth up in a lazy grin.

  The pink in her cheeks darkened, and her eyes widened a fraction. Shutting her eyes again with a wince, she rolled away from him and tugged the sheet up around her, despite the humid heat in the room.

  He turned on his side, propping himself on his elbow and running a finger down Tess’s spine. She shivered.

  “Tess?” He lifted her hair and kissed the side of her neck. “Talk to me, sweetheart.”

  “It’s hot in here.”

  “You noticed that too, huh? I was hoping it wasn’t just me.”

  “What time is it?”

  “Why?” He leaned over her to nuzzle her cheek. “You have somewhere to go?”

  Tess angled her head to look at him. “No, I—”

  Justin’s kiss cut her off.

  “Good. Then we have time to play some more before we get up.” Though he playfully tweaked her nose, he monitored her expression carefully.

  “Justin . . .” Her eyes grew serious and dark.

  “Tess,” he returned and laid a finger across her lips. “Please don’t feel bad about what happened last night.”

  “I don’t. Not really, but Randall—”

  “Is in the past. You left the sonofabitch, remember?”

  “It’s not as simple as that. If he found out about you, he’d be so angry. He’s very possessive.”

  “Last night you said you two had never married. He holds no claim on you. Unless you still love him.”

  Tess sat up, hugging the sheet to her chest. “No. I’ve never loved him. That’s not the point.”

  Raking his hair away from his face, he sat up as well and faced Tess. “What is your point? What’s wrong?”

  When she looked at him, tears puddled in her eyes, and Justin’s heart wrenched.

  “You don’t understand about Randall. He has a lot of power. If he found out what we did last night, he’d . . .” Tess shuddered. “Last night was a mistake. A big mistake. You should leave. Forget you met me, and don’t tell anyone about—”

  “What?” He blinked his disbelief then laughed. “Are you serious? I’m not going anywhere, babe.”

  “Justin, he’ll kill you!”

  “I’m not scared of Randall, Tess. Not that I plan on meeting him. I mean, isn’t that the point? Getting you away from him?”

  “He’s looking for me, though. And if he finds me, if he knew about you, if—”

  “If, if, if. Tess, honey, if he does find you, I’m gonna be right by your side. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Her face wrinkled with distress. “Justin, Randall is evil. He’ll kill you. He already wants me dead.”

  Drawing her into his arms, he lay back on the bed, holdi
ng her close. “I know you’re frightened, honey. But I promise I won’t let him hurt you ever again.” With a finger under her chin, he tilted her face up and kissed her damp cheeks. “Okay?”

  Taking her silence as acquiescence, he hugged her tighter. “Now, do you want to make love again and then find something for breakfast, or do you want to eat first and then come back to the room to make love again?”

  She pushed up on an arm and regarded him with an incredulous expression.

  He flashed her a mischievous grin and wiggled his eyebrows. “I don’t know about you, but I vote for before and after breakfast.”

  Tess’s brows knitted in a mask of concern and heartbreaking sorrow that wiped the smile from his face.

  “Tess, he’s not going to get near you. I swear. You trust me, don’t you?”

  Her eyes closed slowly, and she nodded. Once again, her confidence in him caused a star-burst of warmth to explode in his chest. Justin plowed his fingers into her hair and captured her face between his hands. The kiss he placed on her mouth merely brushed her lips, but she answered with a soft whimper as she fell against him and wrapped her arms around his neck. He kissed her again, more fully, intending to reassure her with his slow and gentle patience. Even if he couldn’t stay with her once she was finally safe, he could spend the time until that day giving her the tenderness and pleasures that her husband had denied her.

  But having her pliant body pressing against his made restraint difficult. When he parted her lips with his tongue, her tongue greeted his and tangled with it. From there, patience was forgotten. She made love to him with desperation and urgency, and he lost himself in the sweetness of her kiss, her lush body, her welcoming warmth.

  Later, they languished in each other’s arms, the sheet tangled around their legs. Sweat rolled from their skin.

  Justin breathlessly sang the refrain of a recent country hit that compared being in love to eating melting ice cream and the rush of swerving around a cow in the road.

  Tess peeked up at him and chuckled. “What?”