Whistlin' Dixie (Tempered Steel Book 1) by Maggie Adams

awfully late to come calling. Has something happened with another home?” Jamie asked suspiciously. He tried to peer over Mac’s shoulder in search of Dixie, but Mac clapped a hand on him and steered them into the center of the living room.
    “Well nothing tonight, but I wanted to apologize to you and your sister for that scene earlier. I overreacted, but Jeb is a letch and I didn’t want your sister near him. I’m sure you’d do the same thing. I still believe it’s best if I picked you up and brought you home. It’s no trouble and it will save your sister any embarrassment in the future.”
    “Gee, Mac, that’s awfully nice of you, going out of your way just to pick me up.” Jamie offered the older man a saccharine smile. Mac knew his little speech hadn’t fooled the young man.
    Dixie came up behind him. “That’s exactly what I thought, too.” She had donned her clothes and haphazardly braided her wet hair. She couldn’t do anything about her swollen lips though.
    Jamie smirked.
    “You want something to drink, Mac?” Jamie headed back toward the kitchen.
    “No thanks. As you said, it’s late. I better go. I’ll pick you up tomorrow morning around seven thirty.” Mac started for the door.
    “I’ll walk you out,” Dixie said quickly as she closed the door and followed him outside. The night air was cool and she shivered as she walked to his truck. “You think he realized what we were doing in there?”
    Mac quirked an eyebrow at her question. “A blind man would’ve known what was going on in there.” He pulled her into his embrace. She laid her head on his chest as he began rubbing her back to keep her warm. “I’d say I’m sorry about what happened, but I’d be lying. I’m just frustrated that it ended so soon.”
    Dixie smiled into his chest. She felt the same way. She snuggled against him. She could hear his heartbeat, sturdy and comforting. Just like Mac. She’d come very close to giving herself completely to this man tonight. A man she hardly knew. Yet she knew he would keep her safe as she discovered the passion within herself. What about after their lovemaking? Did he want her now and forever, or was she just a temporary affair? And did it matter?
    After a moment’s contemplation, Dixie came to the conclusion that what would be, would be. She wanted Mac Coalson on any terms. She desired him with her whole heart and soul, not to mention her body, and she would have him. Forever, if possible. If not, she knew she wouldn’t find a more tender lover for her first time. She may cry when their affair ended, but she wasn’t about to pass up the time spent loving him. It was definitely worth the risk.
    She longed to tell him all that was in her heart and more, but her shyness was returning. So she hugged him closer and kissed his chest through his shirt, willing him to understand which couldn’t bring herself to say just yet.
    Mac inhaled the fragrance of her golden hair. He smiled to himself as he absently rubbed his hands up and down her back, wrestling with the fact that he had been on the brink of initiating this young woman into the ultimate act of love. Unless he wanted to make a lifelong commitment to her, he should do the honorable thing and bow out now before the relationship became more involved. But even as he thought this, he tightened his arms around her. He knew he could never leave now. He sighed with little regret because his heart had already accepted what is mind had tried to reason through.
    To hell with being a gentleman .
    He remembered her uninhibited response to his lovemaking. She’d driven him to the very brink of control with her sweet mouth and gentle caress. She had been on fire for him and only for him. Her climax had stolen his breath away. She was beautiful in her passion. No other woman had ever responded to him like she had. He knew she wasn’t experienced; her timid touch told him that much. So the very fact that she would have given herself to him so