River Bound: Bound and Tied, Book 3

by Jackson, Myla

  He ached with the need to hold her in his arms…for the rest of his life. “Please, Rosalyn, don’t go. I want to marry you. I’ve wanted to marry you ever since the day we met.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “I can’t.”

  James shoved Dalton aside. “Then marry me. I’m better husband material than Dalton. I’ll be good to you, give you everything you want or need.”

  Rosalyn cupped James’s chin and smiled up at him. “I can’t marry you either, James.”

  “Is it because you don’t love me?” James grasped her hand in his. “You could learn to love me. I’m sure of it.”

  Dalton wanted to slug his friend for trying to take his woman. He pushed his sleeves up his arms, ready to pick a fight.

  “No, James.” Rosalyn’s softly spoken words cut through Dalton’s anger. “I love you.”

  The knife in Dalton’s gut twisted. “And you don’t love me?”

  “I love you both.” She stepped away from James, keeping her distance from Dalton. “I just can’t stand the thought of watching you die. You two were nearly killed because of me. If anything had happened to either of you, I don’t think I could go on living.”

  Dalton stared at James. “I don’t understand. You won’t marry either of us because you love us? What kind of cockamamie thinking is that?”

  James’s lips twisted in a sad sort of smile. “That’s female thinkin’, if you ask me.”

  “Whatever it is, I’d rather not be near either of you when you’re shot and killed by some disgruntled gambler. My heart can’t stand losing you again.”

  She retrieved her reticule from the floor, plunked a hat on her head and tried to step around Dalton.

  Dalton wouldn’t let her. He gripped her arms and held her tight. “No. I won’t let you walk out of my life.”

  “It’s not your choice. It’s mine.” She stared up at him, eyes swimming in tears.

  Hope filled Dalton’s chest. “If you didn’t love me, I’d let you go.”

  “Okay, I don’t love you.” She sniffled, a tear slipping out the corner of one eye and trailing down her cheek.

  “Liar.” Dalton captured the teardrop with his lips, pressing a kiss to her skin. “If you love James more than you love me, I’ll let you go to him, no argument. He’s a good man.”

  “Damn right I am.” James’s chest puffed out. “I’d have the captain of this steamboat marry us right here, right now.”

  “Shut up, bounty man.” Dalton ground his teeth. “I have more to say.”

  “I’m done talking. Let me go.” Rosalyn struggled to break free of his grip, but Dalton held on.

  “Not until you hear me out.” He rubbed her pale skin with his thumbs, reveling in her silken softness. “I lost you for an entire year. Every day that passed was harder and harder to bear without you. If I had stopped believing that I’d finally find you, I wouldn’t be here today. I’d have stepped in front of a moving train or thrown myself from a cliff. You are my reason for being. Rosalyn Elizabeth Thomas, you are my heart and my soul.”

  “Stop.” Rosalyn placed a hand on his chest. “Just stop.” Tears ran freely down her face. “I can’t live like this, never knowing if the next game will be your last, the next card player will put a bullet through your heart. I love you too much to watch you die.”

  “I love you too much to give up any chance of having you in my life, even if only for a day, an hour or a single minute. Stay with me. Love me. I’ll do anything you say to make you mine. Be my wife.”

  Rosalyn stood silently, her cheeks wet, her eyes round.

  James tapped Dalton on the shoulder. “Shove off, man, she doesn’t want you. It’s my turn to ask her to marry me.”

  Dalton let James push him aside.

  “Marry me, Roz,” James said. “I love you more. I have a little house in Memphis, with a picket fence and a front porch with a fine swing. It just needs a woman.”

  “You mean that?” Rosalyn asked, her gaze on Dalton, not James, who held her hands and rambled on about Memphis and fences.

  Dalton nodded. “Every word. I’d give my last breath to be with you.”

  She shook her head. “I can’t watch you die.”

  He grinned. “I’m too ornery to die.”

  James’s gaze went from Rosalyn to Dalton. “Aw, hell, I give up. You two belong together.”

  Rosalyn smiled at James. “I’ll always love you, but I love Dalton more.”

  “I get it.” James squeezed her hands one last time, then stepped back, tipping his hat. He glared at Dalton. “You don’t deserve her.”

  “I know.” Dalton remained rooted to the floor.

  James sighed. “Take care of her, you lucky bastard.”

  Dalton nodded. “I will, if she’ll have me.”

  “Good Lord.” James guided Rosalyn toward Dalton. “Say yes, or the man will throw himself off the deep end.”

  Pulling her into his arms, Dalton chuckled. “I’ve already done that, and I’m not doing it again. Not unless she comes with me.”

  Rosalyn snuggled closer. “You bet your sweet boots I will.”

  “Well then, three in a room is a bit snug. I’ll be leaving.” He slipped through the door and closed it behind him.

  Rosalyn sighed, another tear slid down her cheek. “He’s a good man.”

  “If you really love him, go. I won’t hold you back.” Dalton held tight, his hold belying his willingness to release her to another man.

  Rosalyn laid her cheek against his chest, her hand clutching at his shirt. “I tried to love James, but I couldn’t forget you. I want to marry you and have your children. I just wish James could find someone to love him as much as I love you.”

  “He’s a tough guy, he’ll be okay.” Dalton pressed a kiss to her temple, loving the way she fit against him. Perfectly.

  “Those tough guys need love too,” she said, her breath warming his skin.

  “Tell me about it.” Dalton gathered her closer. All the laughter left his eyes as he stared down at the only woman he’d ever loved. “I love you Rosalyn. More than you could ever know.”

  Rosalyn smiled up at the man she was going to marry. “If you want to gamble, that’s okay by me. Only I’m coming with you and toting a pistol of my own.” She kissed him, weaving her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck.

  “You might need that pistol where we’re going.”

  “Oh?” Her hands slipped around to the buttons on his shirt, sliding each one through its hole all the way down the front. Now that they were alone and the danger had gone, she wanted nothing more than to get naked with this man who’d saved her life, risking his own. “Where is it I’ll need to carry my own pistol?”

  “To our ranch in Texas.”

  Her gaze met his. “Texas?”

  Dalton nodded. “Texas. I’m going to be a legitimate rancher. No more gambling. I’ll be good to you. You’ll see.”

  She pushed his suspenders off his shoulders and went to work freeing the buttons on his trousers, one at a time. “You won’t be too good to me, will you?”

  He laughed, the sound warming her inside and out, then he nuzzled her neck. “Not if you’re being bad…”

  His trousers dropped to the floor and his hardened cock sprang free into her palm.

  Dalton sucked in a breath. “Oh, darlin’, you are so very bad.” Then he flipped up her skirts, ripping aside her petticoats and drawers to find her core buried deep beneath her clothing. He lifted her high and drove into her, filling her with one mighty thrust, smacking her buttocks with his palm.

  With her skirts hiked up to her waist, her legs wrapped around Dalton’s middle, Rosalyn rode the gambler, her head thrown back, her back arched and her body on fire, crying out, “Oh, Dalton, yes!”

  About the Author

  Twenty years of livin’ and lovin’ on a South Texas ranch raising horses, cattle, ostriches and emus left an indelible impression on Myla Jackson, one she likes to instill in her red-hot stories. M
yla pens wildly sexy, fun adventures of all genres including historical westerns, medieval, romantic suspense, contemporary and paranormal beasties of all shapes and sexy sizes. When she’s not wrangling words from her computer she’s snow-skiing, boating, riding her ATV or spending time with family. She lives in the tree-covered hills of Northwest Arkansas with her husband of 20+ years and her muses—human-wanna-be canines—Chewy and Sweetpea.

  To learn more about Myla Jackson and her stories visit her website at www.mylajackson.com.

  Look for these titles by Myla Jackson

  Now Available:

  Bound and Tied

  Honor Bound

  Duty Bound

  River Bound

  Coming Soon:

  Boots and Chaps

  The man won the hand, but the women changed the rules.

  Duty Bound

  © 2011 Myla Jackson

  Bound and Tied, Book 2

  Cowgirl KC Matheson is fresh out of ideas. Thanks to her father’s unlucky poker hand, her family is about to lose their ranch. Desperate to entice the winner to let her family keep their home, KC appeals to a sensual stranger, Rosalyn, to help awaken her inner vixen. A vixen with the womanly skills to make a deal with the devil.

  Sent to fetch a companion for his partner’s pregnant wife, miner Jake Thompson never thought luck could change this fast. First, his royal flush lands him a ranch. Then a punch in the face. Now the rancher’s daughter, a woman with a body made for sin, is trying to seduce him into giving up his winnings. Jake has a better idea: her for the ranch. And to ensure she makes good on the bargain, there’s a catch—she has to keep his interest, or the deal is off.

  The three set off on the two-day trek to Jake’s claim, experiencing wondrous delights in the cool mountain air. Then reality sets in, leaving Jake saddled with a mail-order bride, a deflowered virgin, and an unexpected desire to make things right with KC…forever.

  Warning: This title contains hot ménage a trois scenes, girl-on-girl action, bondage, and two determined women—double the heat for one sexy miner. To settle a debt right proper only takes some female know-how, a willing student and a length of rope!

  Enjoy the following excerpt for Duty Bound:

  KC glanced down at the thin, light blue shirt, and her face burned. The dark circles of her nipples shown through in the firelight. She crossed her arms over her breasts.

  Jake stood next to the fire, stripped his shirt off and draped it over a branch near the crackling flames. “If it offends you, turn your backs. I’ll only take a moment.”

  KC obliged. Rosalyn had no qualms watching Jake strip out of his trousers. “My, my. He is quite the catch,” she whispered.

  “Have you no decency?” KC hissed through her clattering teeth. Too cold to give a damn, she finally moved to unbutton her shirt, only her fingers were too stiff to maneuver the buttons out of their holes.

  “Let me. After all I feel responsible.”

  “Damn right you are. What got into you?”

  “I don’t know. Seems like you might have taken all night to get naked.” Rosalyn removed the last button and slid the shirt from KC’s shoulders. “Falling in the creek sped up the process.” Her slim fingers trailed over KC’s chilled skin, spreading warmth where they touched. “Mr. Thompson, is it right to assume sharing body warmth is one of the best ways to warm somebody quickly?”

  Rosalyn unbuttoned her riding coat and dropped it to the ground. She worked the buttons loose at the waist of her riding skirt and let it slide down her legs, leaving her standing in her blouse and drawers. She planted her fists on her hips and glared. “Are you two going to stand there and freeze to death?”

  “No, ma’am.” Jake shucked his trousers and long underwear, standing there in nothing but the clothes God gave him, a grin spreading across his face.

  “That’s more like it.” Rosalyn removed her blouse and twisted her arms behind her to reach for the strings of her corset.

  Jake came up behind her. “Let me help.”

  KC stood with her mouth open as Jake let Rosalyn manipulate him like she’d manipulated KC into the water and now out of her clothing. The cool night air made her sluggish and she’d stopped shivering. If she didn’t get out of the wet trousers, they’d freeze against her skin. The nights in the mountains sometimes got down below freezing. If she didn’t do something soon, she might as well die.

  With a sigh, she unbuttoned her trousers and peeled them down over her thighs, kicking them and her boots off together.

  Jake whistled when she stood naked in the light from the campfire, his hand growing still over the laces of Rosalyn’s corset.

  Rosalyn reached behind her, finished loosening the laces and slid the corset down over her hips, pushing the drawers with it. Wearing her fancy black boots and nothing else, she pulled the blanket from the back of her saddle and spread it out beside the fire.

  Jake grabbed his and the one from the back of KC’s saddle and held them out.

  KC shook her head, the lure of the fire too much of a temptation. Rosalyn walked by her and squeezed her naked ass. “Shoulders back. Be proud of your body,” she whispered.

  With a deep breath, KC pushed her shoulders back and forced her arms to her sides. Her breasts jutted forward, the nipples forming shriveled little peaks, gooseflesh pebbling every inch of her skin.

  “Come, Katherine.” Jake held the blanket for her as she walked into it and let him wrap its warmth around her curves.

  “My name is KC.” Her words shook with the force of a mighty shiver snaking down her spine.

  “I’m not going to ravish your body.” He grinned. “At least not until you’re thawed out.”

  Her lips pressed together. “Have I told you I’ve been known to throw a two-hundred-pound calf down in twenty seconds?” She lost some of the threat in her voice with the sound of her teeth clattering together.

  Jake laughed out loud, the movement rumbling against her back. “I’ll be sure not to bawl like a calf.”

  His laughter made the frown loosen on KC’s forehead. The man was almost human when he smiled. Still, she held tightly to her anger at the entire situation, while knowing she had to live up to her end of the ill-fated bargain.

  A shiver shook his frame and he hugged her back to his front, fitting the curve of her bottom against his thighs.

  Rosalyn took the other blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders, then she stood behind Jake, enfolding him into the warmth of her dry arms. They huddled together beside the fire, letting the blaze warm them.

  As KC’s body began to relax, she could feel other parts of Jake’s body stiffen. Her breath quickened. How soon would he demand the ultimate payment? Would she be ready? Would it hurt?

  Rosalyn’s hands moved around Jake and bumped against KC’s back, skimming down over her to her bottom. “It works better if you get skin to skin, KC.” She tugged at the blanket.

  “Don’t push me, Rosalyn.” KC refused to let go.

  “Fine. Have it your way.” She handed Jake the blanket and moved around to KC’s front, where she forced her to open up and let her slide into the circle of her arms.

  With her breasts pressed against Rosalyn’s, KC’s blood heated infinitely faster. The previous night’s lessons came back to her in sordid, blood-stirring detail.

  Jake left KC’s back, wrapping himself around Rosalyn’s naked backside, circling his arms around them both, crushing them closer. “Ah, Katherine, now I can see you. Did you know that your face tells me everything?”

  “Wonderful.” KC frowned. “What is it telling you now?”

  “KC…” Rosalyn warned. “You have a bargain with this man.”

  “Thank you, Miss Rosalyn.” Jake winked at KC.

  Her stomach flipped. The man had a way of making her insides stir, and KC didn’t want her insides stirred over the man who’d bought and paid for her body like she was a whore.

  Not to mention, this entire situation was foreign to KC. Her world was working cattl
e, tending stock and taking care of a ranch. She’d never stood naked in the woods with another man and woman…total strangers.

  The backs of KC’s hands rubbed against Jake’s furred chest. His muscles were taut, rock solid like she’d imagined when she’d been studying his shoulders on the ride up the mountain.

  His gaze captured hers over Rosalyn’s shoulder.

  Holding the blanket’s ends didn’t give KC the freedom of movement she’d hoped for. If she tried to feel more of Jake’s body, she’d drop an end and the cold air would chill their skin all over.

  Rosalyn laughed. “You two are trying too hard to avoid what’s obvious.”

  “And that would be…?” Jake pressed closer, his arms tightening around the two women.

  “You’re attracted to each other.”

  “I am not!” KC sputtered. “I’m only living up to my end of the bargain.”

  Jake’s smile dimmed. “That’s right. I paid for her. And she was damned expensive.”

  “Oh, pooh.” Rosalyn shook her head. “You two are fooling yourselves. Give in to the feeling and warm your bodies at the same time. Here, let me show you.”

  “Is she always this bossy?” Jake asked KC.

  KC smiled for the first time since she’d left Idaho Springs. “Yes. But she’s a fine teacher.”

  “Damn right. So shut up and follow my lead.” Then she ducked out from between them, and with a hand on Jake’s back and one on KC’s, she shoved them together.

  Jake’s naked chest bumped against KC’s naked breasts, knocking the breath right out of her. Not with the force of the blow, but with the attack on her senses.

  She’d never been naked with a man. His rock-solid, angular body was completely different from Rosalyn’s curves. Her hands pressed against his chest. Instead of pushing him away, she juggled the ends of the blanket while running her fingers slowly over his skin, studying the different textures, comparing them to Rosalyn’s. Where the other woman had soft, smooth mounds with rosy brown nipples, Jake’s hard muscles were scattered with crisp hairs, the dark nipples buried in the matting. She had to search to find them, but when she did, they stiffened into tiny little peaks.