A Randall Returns by Judy Christenberry Read Free Book Online

dropping several kisses on her brow. She looked up and his lips covered hers, as they had last night, but this time, in her weakened emotional state, her response was more intense. As if of their own accord her arms wrapped around his neck, and she pressed her breasts against him.
    Mike deepened the kiss. His embrace made her feel weak and protected, almost loved. Of course, it was an illusion, she reminded herself, even as she welcomed their closeness. Tonight had shaken her badly. When she wanted a baby more than anything, to see one thrown away, as Jerry Long had done, was tragic. She sought solace in his kiss.
    She found so much more.
    Mike’s lips left hers and trailed a hot path across her jaw and down her neck to the pulse point that pounded due to her suddenly rapid heartbeat. He feasted on her sensitive flesh, and she felt herself come alive. All over, her body seemed to sing out for his touch, for his wet kisses.
    Mike took her lips again, hard and demanding. His tongue plundered her mouth, urging a response. And Caroline answered him.
    Then, without warning, he pulled away. “Caroline, we can’t do this.”
    She felt bereft, and longed to draw him close again. “Mike,” she said on a ragged breath, “what’s wrong?”
    For a few seconds he said nothing, then finally murmured, “I can’t keep kissing you. It’s not enough for me.” His hazel eyes met her blue ones. “And I can’t lose control. Not with you. I know you don’t want more than this.”
    Even as she shook her head, her heart was screaming, Yes! She wanted more than this, all right. She wanted all of Mike Davis. But she couldn’t tell him. Instead, she dropped her arms at her sides and said, “I’m sorry, Mike. It’s just that I was so upset…”
    He seemed to gather himself right before her eyes. “Well, then,” he said after he cleared his throat and put on his hat, “I’ll go back to the office and make sure everything’s set there. You’ll be all right with the girls?”
    “Yes. I’ll be fine. They’ll sleep until morning, I’m sure. And I don’t work tomorrow. Jon is on call.”
    “Good. I’ll check with you in the morning.”
    She followed him to the door—to lock it, of course, after his departure, she told herself. But when he bent his head and placed a gentle kiss on her cheek, she didn’t back away. Then he straightened and said, “Lock up.” Touching her cheek, he strode out the door and stood there looking at her.
    It took her a minute to realize he was waiting for her to follow his order. She tried to give a brisk nod, but she wasn’t sure she could pull it off. Instead she shut the door, turned the lock. He softly called good-night through the door and she heard his footsteps fading away.
    She was alone.

CHAPTER FOUR
    Mike’s first thought the next morning was of Caroline…and the girls. He was the only one on duty, so the other men could attend church. When one of them came in at noon, he’d be free to check on his favorite doctor.
    He shook his head at the thought. He couldn’t go to her. Not with his intentions. Caroline Randall was out of his league and he’d best remember it. Not only was she a doctor, but she was also one of the wealthy Randalls. While Rawhide paid a good sheriff’s salary, he supposed because so many wealthy ranchers contributed to it, it would never match Caroline’s resources.
    He’d sat up all night, thinking of her, reliving their kiss, planning the next time they could be alone together. Around dawn, he’d come to his senses.
    He was successful, all right, and proud of what he’d made of himself, of his life. As proud of what he’d become as what he’d overcome. Raised by a single mother after his father died when he was a young boy, he’d worked hard for whatever he’d gained. Thank God for Uncle Bill, he thought. The man had helped out whenever he could. But it had been the promise of asecure job and a steady paycheck—not to mention the self-esteem—that had