People Will Talk by Carol Rose Page B

arched toward him, empty and yearning, her
body calling out to his. He brushed a finger against her most
sensitive spot, his movement agonizingly slow. The roar in her ears
increased a notch, the blood pounded through her veins like flood
tides.
    She reached for him, urging him
forward.
    "Wait a sec, honey." His voice was strained as
he got off the bed and rummaged in a drawer. "Damn." Slamming it
shut, he pulled open another and heaved the contents onto the
dresser.
    Propped on an elbow, Nora watched his search
with a concerned anticipation that turned to relief when he pulled
a dark square from the pile. Returning to the bed, Bret tore open
the packet and swore to himself, fumbling to put on the
condom.
    He slid between her legs, bending to kiss her
again. Their tongues met as he slowly entered her body. Pleasure
rippled through Nora. She bent her legs, her body welcoming him.
Each movement brought a cascade of sensual bliss.
    They rocked together, locked in each other's
arms, lost in their own private paradise. She felt the roar and
sweep of her blood, the raging, driving rush of her heart. He was
everything. Ecstasy.
    Taking him in, she stroked him with her body,
cherished his rising excitement as they hurtled toward release,
each pulse faster, each thrust harder. She felt rather than saw a
sudden burst of light showering through every cell, and then a
sensation of free fall as her body clenched around his.
    Dimly, she heard his hoarse cry, felt the
spasming of his body as he joined her in the heavens.
    They drifted down together, clinging to one
another with soft murmurings and touches.
    Stars still seemed to spin above Nora when she
opened her eyes in the darkness, marveling at a moment that she
knew had changed her forever.
    How could she have thought that making love to
Bret just this once would satisfy her? And how was she ever going
to keep her heart safe now?
    ******

Chapter Seven
    Nora breathed in the warm, morning air as a
Mockingbird warbled from a nearby bush. Her riding helmet swung
loosely from her fingers as she crossed the parking area in front
of the barn.
    The usual array of weathered vehicles there
gave testimony to the size of Bret's ranching operation. Feeling
strangely shy and excited at the same time, she noticed his truck
parked near the barn and quickened her steps.
    To her own amazement, she had no regrets about
the night before, even though she'd gone home to sleep alone. She'd
never been closer to heaven than during those moments in his
arms.
    As Nora entered the shade of the barn, a
familiar high-pitched giggle made her steps falter. What was Cissy
Burton doing here? Walking more slowly, Nora followed the sound of
voices into the coolness of the barn, crossing to where the north
door stood open. As she went, her ear recognized the lower tones
mingled with Cissy's irritating voice.
    Stopping in the open doorway, Nora saw them.
Bret stood by the corral gate, screwdriver in hand as he tinkered
with the gate catch. Standing close enough to breathe the same air
was Cissy Burton, encased in tight jeans and a skimpy knit
top.
    "You're so handy," she said, giggling and
smirking at him.
    "Yes, ma'am," he winked as he continued his
work. "I have all kinds of talents."
    ''I'm glad Daddy finally got around to cleaning
his office. Bringing back that report he borrowed from you gives me
a good excuse to visit even if I do have to stop by four more
ranches. He's terrible about borrowing things." She pouted
prettily.
    Bret straightened, grinning as he shut and
opened the gate latch to check his work. "You won't mind running
your dad's errands. It'll just give you a chance to flirt with all
the ranch hands around here, you wicked heartbreaker."
    Cissy giggled again. Bret's laughter joined
hers, low and easy as he went on adjusting the gate.
    Nora stood in the doorway, a sick feeling in
the pit of her stomach. She'd known he was this way with women.
Bret Maddock, the town risk-taker, horse race champion and