He closed his eyes and let her hold him as he continued to minister his own form of torture. He bit his lips as her thumb ma.s.saged that sensitive skin beneath the head of his c.o.c.k, and his chest rose and fell in rapid jerky motions. When he didn't think he could take any more, he squirmed, sat up straighter, and grabbed the hand that was inside his shorts to hold her still.

Cain stared into her eyes, those large liquid pools of ocean, and time stopped. She was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen. Her tongue was caught between her teeth, and her skin shone with the silvery sheen of sweat. He shifted and coaxed her toward him, claimed her lips in a whisper of a kiss. It was all about touch and emotion and communicating without words.

He knew she was as worked up as he, and that if he wanted, he could have her right now. But for the first time in his life, he wanted more than just a quick screw. He wanted more than the pleasure of a physical release.

He would have Maggie, but he wanted it to matter. Cain broke off the kiss, and his fingers settled into the thick hair at her nape. He couldn't believe he was about to do this again but...

"We gotta stop Maggie," he murmured hoa.r.s.ely, "or I won't be able to."

She dropped her forehead to his chest. His right hand slid up along her back, and he tugged until she relaxed and collapsed against him. She was shivering, and he held her tightly, loving the way she fit into his arms like the last piece of a puzzle.

For the longest time, Cain held her, stroked her hair, and reveled in the feel of her. Darkness enveloped them in a secret embrace, with only the soft glow of the moon on the horizon as witness. The crickets still chirped, the frogs croaked incessantly, and in the distance a loon called, its song sad and mournful. The breeze that slid across the lake was cool, and after a while she shifted and whispered against his skin, "I should get Michael home."

Her hand slid into his as he rolled off the lounge chair and stood. Cain's arms wrapped around her shoulders, and he kissed her forehead, his fingers lingering along the bare flesh of her arms.

"Let's go," he said softly.

The fire was nearly out, and Cain lifted Michael into his arms, blanket and all. He kicked sand onto the embers and followed Maggie through the dark to his truck. They rode back to town in silence, the powerful engine purring through the quiet and filling the s.p.a.ce between them.

When they arrived at her house, Maggie unlocked the door for him, and Cain stepped through, her son tucked securely in his arms. He headed toward Michael's room and deposited him on his bed just like he'd done a few nights earlier.

The little head of curls moved, and Michael yawned. His eyes fluttered and opened slowly. "I had fun today," he murmured.

"That's good." Cain ruffled the top of his head while Michael uttered something unintelligible before sliding into Sandman's embrace once more.

Cain took a second, tugged the blanket up to Michael's chin, and then followed Maggie out to her small porch. He turned, his hands gripping the overhang as he stared down at her. "So," he began, and her head snapped up as if she was startled, not expecting him to speak. She was nervous, her tongue flicking along the edge of her lips, and he felt a sharp answering tug once more.

Christ. It wasn't fair, what this woman could do to him without even trying.

She crossed her arms over her chest and exhaled. He reached for her and caressed her cheek before his fingers sank into the thick hair and he cradled her head.

"So, Michael tells me he's going camping with Tommy's family this week."

Maggie nodded, a slight frown marring her forehead.

"When's that happening?"

"Tuesday." Her voice was one shade past a whisper.

"Okay, Tuesday it is." It was Sunday. He could wait until then.

"Sorry?"

Cain smiled and brushed her mouth with a soft kiss. "I'll pick you up at five." He let go and stepped off her porch.

"For what?"

"What else? A date."

"Cain, wait! I don't...are you sure that's a good idea? I mean, we'd be in the public eye and..." She exhaled and ran her hands through her hair. "We'd be seen."

Cain c.o.c.ked his head and laughed. "Well, holy s.h.i.t. I think this is the first time a woman hasn't wanted to be seen with me."

"No! It's not that, I...I just..."

She was jumbling her words up, and he fought the urge to kiss her senseless. The woman was adorable. Her mouth sinful. What an amazing combination.

"Is it Michael? You don't want him to know we're seeing each other?"

She lowered her eyes.

"Don't worry about him. He'll be fine, I promise." He paused and smiled wickedly, loving the way her tongue touched the edge of her teeth as she glanced up at him. "Maggie, we have unfinished business, you and I." Her chest heaved, and that d.a.m.n tongue was at it again. If he didn't know better, he'd think she was the biggest tease this side of Detroit. "I'm taking you out for dinner, where I will do my best to charm the h.e.l.l out of you"-he narrowed his eyes-"and then we're going to get naked together."

She opened her mouth but closed it again without uttering a word.

"The things I'm going to do to you, Maggie, just might be illegal in some states."

Cain turned and headed toward his truck, keys jangling in his hands loosely. "Make sure you get lots of sleep," he tossed over his shoulder. "Because you're sure as h.e.l.l gonna need it."

Chapter 17.

"Do not cut any of that hair off!"

The loud words startled both Maggie and the hairstylist who held a good chunk of Maggie's hair between her fingers.

It was Monday afternoon, later in the day, and A Cut Above was buzzing with clientele, stylists, manicurists, and shampoo girls. The shop was located downtown, near the clock tower, just east of the town hall. Out front every single parking s.p.a.ce was filled, and the sun glanced off the windshields, blinding anyone who cared to look.

Maggie's one client of the day, Annabelle Jenkins, was done-her three-bedroom bungalow only took a few hours-and on impulse, Maggie had decided to treat herself to a pedicure and a haircut. It had been months since she had anything done with it. In fact, the last time her locks were trimmed, it had been a work of art created by her son.

Lori Jonesberg appeared in the mirror behind her, her expression focused, intense. "I've had a cancellation, Sandra, so I'll look after Ms. O'Rourke. The clean towels have just been delivered and need to be put away."

Sandra stepped back and let Maggie's hair fall from her fingers. "Sure, Lori." The tone was respectful, but Maggie caught the narrowed eyes before Sandra disappeared from view.

Lori's fingers threaded into Maggie's hair, and she lifted the heavy weight, checking the ends thoroughly before letting the tendrils fall again. "I'll have to take about an inch off the bottom but no more." Her dark eyes crinkled. "They look d.a.m.n good, considering you use the cheapest product on the market."

"I..." Maggie started.

"It's all right. You don't have to thank me. I really did have a cancellation." Lori winked before turning to one of the girls behind her. "Grab my tray and bring a coffee for Maggie."

The young teen scurried to do Lori's bidding. The owner of A Cut Above was pet.i.te, standing five foot five in her four-inch spikes, but she was a dynamo nonetheless. Maggie studied her in the mirror. She was also no longer a solid brunette. Lori's chic cut was now dyed a deep chestnut with blond and red highlights.

"I heard the garage sale did huge business." Lori's gaze was still focused on her hair as she spoke.

"Uh, yes, Luke said they raised a significant amount of money."

"That's good," Lori murmured as she c.o.c.ked her head to the side and lifted a piece of Maggie's hair. "So what are we doing today?" Lori frowned as she studied Maggie's head.

"I thought a cut?"

Lori shook her head.

Maggie bit her lip "Maybe? I was thinking something different. I've had it long for years, and I"-she shrugged-"thought that a change could be good." At Lori's frown, she arched an eyebrow in question. "Or not?"

"No." Lori shook her head again. "No, we're not going to take much off. Trust me on this."

Okay. Maggie was a little unnerved at the sudden attention and the woman's desire to make her over.

The young teen appeared at Maggie's side just then and handed her a steaming cup of coffee. She rolled up a tray beside Lori and left as quickly as she'd come.

"We're not?" Maggie asked.

"Nope." Lori leaned in close to her ear. "Guys like Cain, rockers? They like their women to have long hair."

Heat stained Maggie's cheeks as a slow grin rolled over Lori's face. The woman tugged on her hair. "They need something to hold on to, you know, when-"

"Lori," Maggie interrupted, embarra.s.sed.

The pet.i.te brunette laughed and reached into her tray. "Don't get your knickers in a knot. I'm just teasing." She c.o.c.ked her head, and their eyes met in the mirror. "I'm right, mind you, but if you don't want to talk about the fact that you're having s.e.x with Cain Black, I'm fine with that."

"I'm not," Maggie sputtered, suddenly aware of the glances and whispers aimed in her direction.

"Honey, don't bother denying. Because if you haven't done the nasty yet"-Lori held up a large swath of hair-"you will." She fingered the piece, let it drop, and smiled at Maggie. "I'm going to add a few layers to give you some shape. Your color is gorgeous, but we'll add some highlights, some blond and a few darker pieces. It will make the texture shimmer and add depth."

Rebecca Stringer-Hayes strode into the salon at that moment, spied the two of them, and walked over. "Lori, I was hoping for a quick trim." The blonde's gaze lingered on Maggie, a cool smile in place as she adjusted her large bag across her shoulders. It was Gucci, and not a knockoff either.

Lori shrugged and secured a cape around Maggie's neck. "The salon's busy, Rebecca. We don't have a lot of slots for walk-ins."

"Kate Andrews told me she had to cancel."

"She did, which is why I'm working on Maggie."

Rebecca was irritated. Her glossy lips pursed tight and her foot tapped rapidly on the tile floor. "And how long will that take?"

"Long enough. If you're desperate for a trim, sit in my chair, and Sandra will be more than happy to snip away."

"But Sandra isn't my person. You are." The whine was nasal, and Lori grimaced.

"I suggest you make an appointment then. I have one or two openings the week after next."

Rebecca stopped tapping her toes and gripped the edge of her purse so tightly, her knuckles were white. "You can't fit me in for a trim." Disbelief colored her words in a throaty layer, and Maggie shifted in the chair, uncomfortable with the other woman's behavior and the interest they were creating.

Lori swore under her breath. "No, Rebecca, I can't."

"Fine, but if you have a cancellation before then, I want it." Rebecca turned and then paused, her voice loud as she glanced over her shoulder. "I need you to stay later tomorrow, Maggie. The grout in the bathrooms is horrendous, especially around the toilets, and they'll need to be scrubbed by hand-all four of them."

Irritation flared inside her. Maggie looked at Rebecca through the mirror and shook her head. "I don't visit until Wednesday afternoon, Rebecca."

"Whatever." Rebecca waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. "Just make sure you do them when you come. They're a disgrace."

Rebecca left the salon in a cloud of perfume and att.i.tude. Maggie watched her go, amazed at how much of a cliche the woman was. Blond, skinny and...

"She's always been a b.i.t.c.h. Don't let her bother you."

Maggie glanced at Lori in surprise.

Lori grabbed pieces of foil and pinned a large chunk of Maggie's hair on top of her head. "Seriously. That one was born high on herself, and she'll never change."

The heat that sat in Maggie's cheeks spread. She didn't want this. She couldn't afford this. Like a mind reader, Lori patted Maggie on the shoulder and leaned in close once more.

"Don't worry about the cost. I'll only charge you for the cut. Besides, it's all you booked for." She shrugged. "Not your problem I feel like playing around with your head."

"Why are you doing this?" Maggie was curious. It wasn't like they were great friends. They were acquaintances, had been on a few school trips together with their children.

Lori's face softened, and she spread some of the mixture along a piece of hair before securing it inside the foil. "Most people would be shocked to know this, but I'm a fairy-tale kinda girl." She grabbed another piece and began applying the mixture. "You just seem like someone who could use a Prince Charming in her life. And if he happens to be a rocker with to-die-for abs and a killer smile, well, that's all the better, don't you think?" Lori pinned that piece up and grabbed for another. "Oh, and before I forget." Lori made a face and looked at Maggie's toes in horror. "We're going to redo the color. Pink pa.s.sion is for old ladies. Just sayin'."

Approximately two and a half hours later, Maggie left A Cut Above humming a tune, her steps light. Her hair was layered and highlighted with funky chunks of peekaboo color that shimmered as the wind picked up and lifted the tresses into the air. Her toes were no longer pink, but sported a vibrant navy color-one that she totally loved and kept admiring as she slowly made her way toward the bus stop.

Maggie shouldn't have been surprised when she nearly mowed over someone-or rather not someone, but Jake Edwards. He'd just exited the bank, and she sidestepped at the last second, barely missing him.

She turned back. "Oh, Jake, I'm sorry. I..." She stopped talking. His eyebrows were furled, all scrunched up as if he was deep in thought. He nailed her with a look that was not happy. In fact, that was an understatement. Jake Edwards looked p.i.s.sed off and angry as h.e.l.l.

"Do you have a minute?" His voice was as sharp as his features. His mouth was tight, and she shifted beneath his steady gaze. For whatever reason, Jake Edwards made Maggie nervous. He was like an elastic band strung way too tight, and she had a feeling he was going to snap. Soon.

She glanced at her watch. "Uh, it's late, and Michael's home alone. I really need to get his supper on."

Jake strode toward her and grabbed her elbow. "Good. I'll give you a lift. We can talk on the way."

Okay, he was kinda scaring her now.

Maggie yanked her arm from his. Granted, the man had been through an unbelievable trauma, but that sure as h.e.l.l didn't give him the right to manhandle her or order her around.

"I can get home on my own, thanks," she answered stiffly.

A flurry of emotion rippled across his features, and he ran his hands through the short crop of hair atop his head. The motion drew her eyes to the tattoos on his arm. They were strange symbols she couldn't place, but one she knew-Gemini, the sign of the twins.

"I'm sorry, Maggie. I don't mean to come across like such an a.s.s. I just really want to talk to you about something." He frowned and pointed to a truck parked up the way. "It's important."

Was he going to warn her away from Cain? Did he think she wasn't good enough for his friend?

"G.o.d, I'm s.c.r.e.w.i.n.g this all up." His dark eyes settled on her with a cold intensity that made her swallow and want to step back. "It's about Raine and her c.o.c.k-and-bull idea to get pregnant."