by Laura Marie
“The baby? What baby, Jules?”
Julianna locked gazes with her aunt.
“I was pregnant.”
Aunt Ellie scooted closer and clasped her hands tighter.
“What happened? What did he do?” Aunt Ellie asked, and before Julianna could reply, the events scattered through her mind as Julianna cried out in torment. Deep, enormous sobs echoed over the roar of the fireplace. Aunt Ellie squeezed tighter as Julianna blurted out phrases of words in between tormented sobs.
“I didn’t know how to tell him.”
“I thought Kate would know what to do and what to say.”
“I was attacked in the stairwell.”
“Kate was having an affair with Lawrence.”
Aunt Ellie held her close to her chest, petted her hair, and tried to calm her down as Julianna continued to ramble on. It was difficult to make sense of the bits and pieces of information.
“Oh, Jules, my poor child, my God.”
* * * *
Once Julianna calmed down she was able to explain the whole story to her aunt. It was too late to worry about disappointing her aunt and letting her see how stupid she was. What’s done is done, and there was no way to repair the damage. That’s exactly what she was. Damaged goods.
Aunt Ellie got a cold compress to apply to Julianna’s eyes. They were red and swollen. Julianna could feel them.
She let the cool cloth penetrate to her lids before she spoke. Her head was throbbing, but getting up to get some Ibuprofen wasn’t going to happen. Instead, she lay there in torment.
“I’m sorry I’ve turned out to be such a disappointment,” Julianna whispered.
“Julianna Marie McKay! You are not a disappointment. Far from it if you ask me or any soul with common sense. To survive what you went through, no wonder the sheriff makes you so damn skittish. People who have experienced such abuse and tragedy can’t even continue to live their lives. You’re a successful business woman. Look what you’ve done to improve our horse-training business and your plans for the bed-and-breakfast? Most importantly, you’re a survivor, damn it. That alone is an accomplishment and something to be real proud of.” Aunt Ellie sat down on the couch to hold Julianna against her.
“I love you, Jules. I’m sorry about what Lawrence tried to do, and now I understand all the secrecy. What I need to know is if it’s over.”
Julianna remained silent a moment.
“I don’t know. I can hope it is, but with Lawrence…” The tears began to flow again as Ellie held her niece in her arms.
“Is there more?”
Julianna swallowed hard then took a deep breath before answering her aunt.
“Lawrence was behind the attack. He didn’t want…he didn’t want our baby.” The tears rolled down Julianna’s cheeks as her aunt covered her mouth and gasped.
“Oh my lord. My God, baby, why didn’t you come home sooner? He could be out there right now trying to find you.”
Ellie pulled Julianna into an embrace. All she could do was cry in her arms until the sobs subsided.
“I’ll explain everything to your uncle. We’ll be on guard, but from here on out you better keep us informed of everything. I don’t like being left in the dark, and we’re your family, remember? We’re in this together.”
Julianna smiled.
“I love you, Aunt Ellie.”
* * * *
The week had passed and it was getting more and more difficult to avoid Johnny. She had heard through Rooster that there was a fire in town at the hardware store, some vandalism done to one of the new construction sites, and a group of kids got drunk and started a barn fire that went out of control.
Julianna brushed Shortening after taking her out for a short run. It was so cold outside, and with Thanksgiving a few weeks away there was a lot to prepare for, including the full house of visitors for the bed-and-breakfast. Word was traveling quickly. Julianna felt relieved that her gut had been right. Once people visited Palmer Place they would spread the recommendations to everyone they knew. The meeting with the town board was this evening, and if all went well, Julianna and her aunt and uncle could begin expanding.
Her nerves were getting the best of her. She hadn’t spoken in front of a large crowd in ages. Just thinking about it made her drop the brush she was holding. As she bent over to reach for it she heard someone speak.
“There ain’t no one who can fill out a pair of blue jeans like you, Jules.”
Julianna stumbled to stand up quickly enough and nearly lost her balance along with her capability to breathe.
Johnny stood just a few feet away from her, looking as sexy as can be. All in black as usual, including his waist-length winter coat most cowboys wore this time of season.
He was a dream. A perfect male specimen standing there with his gloved hand leaning on the barrel of his holstered gun and the other one on his trim hip. Flashbacks of their lovemaking rammed through her mind.
“Sheriff Black.” She acknowledged him then turned back toward the horse. Her hand was shaking as she rubbed the brush in a downward motion across the mare.
A moment later, he stood close behind her. In an intake of breath, he moved swiftly like some sort of strategic soldier. Recalling that he was a soldier at one time, the thought caused a tingling sensation inside.
The feel of his strong arm wrapped around her waist pulled her from her thoughts. God, she missed his embrace. The smell of his cologne was woodsy yet soft. It caressed her senses until he pulled her body against his own and used his right hand to move her hair off her shoulder and away from her neck.
“You’ve been hiding out on me, darlin’. If I was insecure, I’d be downright disappointed at you rejecting me.”
My rejection…it was he who rejected me.
Warm lips caressed against her neck, sending vibrations through her body despite the warm black ski jacket. She had skied in Aspen and felt warm in this coat, but it obviously couldn’t keep her body from reacting to Johnny.
“I think you’re mistaken, Sheriff Black.” Damn her voice for sounding so shaky.
Somehow he’d removed his glove from his hand as he spoke to her, and now his warm, solid fingers were sliding under the hem of her jacket.
“Don’t you know you can’t hide from the law in Claire County?”
Warm fingers crawled beneath her sweater across her belly to the lace of her bra.
His mouth did wicked things to her neck and ear as he spoke, causing her body to become mush. Her body gave into his touch as she leaned back against his solid body, and she tried to find her voice to give some sort of witty retort. Nothing happened until his hand cupped her breast, maneuvering around the lace material to find the hardened bud.
“Oh, Johnny,” she exhaled as he held her tighter against him.
“That’s my girl,” he panted against her skin. “There’s consequences to hiding from the sheriff.”
His hand fondled and caressed, and his fingers tweaked and manipulated her breasts, causing her core to heat into an inferno.
She had to get a grip. She had to find a way to stop the sensual assault and let him know he hurt her.
“What kind of consequences?”
“Mmmmm.” He hummed against her ear while his erection pushed against her back. The man was hard and ready, and boy, was she willing. The thought of someone walking in on them startled her. She was no exhibitionist, and the thought of Rooster or Uncle Roy stumbling upon them had her pushing away from him.
Johnny wouldn’t have it.
“Ah, ah, ah. No you don’t. I haven’t explained the punishment.”
“Punishment!” Julianna exclaimed, attempting unsuccessfully to push away, only to be restrained.
“Perhaps a good spanking might be in order.”
She gasped in shock at his words then tightened her legs together as her body reacted in the opposite way.
His hand moved down her abdomen then pushed down the tight crevice between her waist and the seam of her blue
jeans. The button snapped, the zipper released, and she felt the cool air for a half a second before the heaviness of Johnny’s fingertips.
“You’re wet, darlin’. Somebody’s got a little naughty side.”
“Johnny, stop. I—”
Warm fingers made their way inside her, and his hard erection pushed against her back while he whispered wickedly sinful words in her ear. She was helpless against the onslaught, and a moment later, she was breathless and at his whim.
He slowly slid his hand along her hip bone then from her jeans, and the disappointment at the loss combined with the assault of cold air had her shivering.
Her pants were snapped closed and the zipper pulled up before he turned her to face him.
Warm hands embraced her face, forcing her to look into his eyes. There was darkness, passion, and a twinkle of something else. Could Johnny be feeling what she was feeling?
Warm lips attacked her own, devoured her lips, and she lost control of inhibition. She wanted his hands all over her, making love to her again and again.
He lifted her up, and she straddled his hips as he moved her toward the wooded fence near the horses’ stall.
“I missed ya, baby. Please tell me you missed me too?”
He nibbled on her neck and crushed her body against the fence.
“I’m mad at you.” She tilted her chin up and tried to control her breathing.
He arched one eyebrow up and gave her a scary, challenging kind of look. She trembled.
“What’s this all about, Jules?”
She lowered her head, feeling kind of foolish to admit she was jealous and disappointed because she wasn’t invited to his birthday party and didn’t know about it.
“You left me. Dropped me off like it was nothing.”
“Ahh, darlin’. Is that what ya think?” He caressed her hair and gave her a soft kiss against her lips. “I had to leave.”
“You knew your friends and family were giving you a party. You acted like you didn’t know anything about it, but Aunt Ellie said you knew weeks ago.”
“Well, that’s true. But, you got it all wrong, Jules.”
“How so?” she asked, gaining more confidence and crossing her arms in front of her chest.
Johnny reacted by placing his hand beneath her backside, pulling her closer against him and simultaneously giving a challenging look again.
“Don’t you get all sassy with me,” he teased, revealing those damn adorable dimples of his. He was so handsome her heart pounded against her chest.
“It’s all your fault actually,” he replied.
She was shocked at his accusation.
“What? Me?”
“Yeah, you! I was so caught up in loving you and being with you I plumb forgot my responsibilities, the damn surprise party I did know about, and when Earl said there was a fight at the bar I didn’t even think about the party. You got me all twisted up inside.”
She was shocked by his proclamation. Her anger turned to giddiness in a snap.
She smirked.
“Well, get those arms around my neck, woman, and start making up.”
Before she could reply, Johnny kissed her breathless.
A few moments later he set her back down on her boots but still held her tight.
“Let’s go down to your place so we can talk,” he stated then winked.
Julianna reached up to caress his cheek with her hand. The feel of his afternoon beard beneath her fingertips caused excitement in her body.
“Aren’t you on duty, Sheriff?” she teased, letting his title slide off her lips in a Southern drawl.
He pulled her along with him, giving her a swat on her backside.
“Move it along, ma’am, and you will see what I have in mind.”
Julianna raced to the stall door with Johnny close on her heels.
* * * *
Julianna raced out of the stables laughing and looking over her shoulder until she plowed right into Rooster. Julianna gasped in shock.
“Oh my! I’m so sorry, Rooster,” she squealed as Rooster held her shoulders.
“Where’s the fire?”
A quick look over her shoulder at Johnny had him instantly releasing Julianna.
“I’m sorry. We were…”
Johnny grabbed Julianna around the waist and nuzzled her neck. “We were just going over her punishment for evading an officer of the law.”
Julianna felt her cheeks flush despite the bitter temperature. She hesitated then absorbed the sensations of Johnny’s muscular arms wrapped around her hips and the touch of his warm lips against her neck.
“Thanks for the heads up on the location of the assailant.”
Rooster laughed. “No problem, Sheriff Black.”
It took Julianna a moment to catch on. Apparently Rooster called Johnny to let him know she was in the horse stables.
“I just grabbed her to try and keep her near the stables. I didn’t know you snuck around back,” Rooster professed, obviously compelled to explain his actions.
Johnny laughed but remained holding Julianna.
“No problem. I appreciate the help. This one is quite the handful.”
He held Julianna against him as the side door to the main house creaked open.
“Sheriff! Come on in for some coffee,” Roy yelled out.
Johnny whispered in Julianna’s ear as he walked her towards the house.
“You ain’t off the hook, darlin’, just temporarily detained from punishment.”
Julianna giggled.
* * * *
Johnny pulled his truck alongside Julianna’s cottage an hour later. Julianna ran inside to start a fire in the fireplace as Johnny took a phone call from the department. He mumbled something about a half a day and being sure he would make it on time to the board meeting later this afternoon.
As Julianna finished preparing the fire, Johnny walked into the cottage and closed the front door.
She watched him as he removed his Stetson, placed it on the rack by the door, and then locked the top bolt on the front door. He wasn’t shy about making himself right at home or shy about the way he stared at her with his legs in a wide stance as he gave her body the once over.
Her body reacted immediately, but her mind wanted to make him work for it.
“It’s cold out there, huh?” she asked, still mesmerized by his persona. The man oozed sex appeal. He was a walking, talking fantasy and he was in her cottage, eyeing Julianna as his next meal. Damn! Thoughts like that were going to have her jumping the lawman in two seconds flat. She envisioned leaping over the coffee table, using the sofa as a makeshift trampoline, and jumping into Johnny’s embrace. What is wrong with me? Gain some control, woman.
She watched Johnny remove his coat and hang it on the rack below his Stetson.
Julianna absorbed the sight of him. His short, military haircut, dark button-down shirt with the flannel insulation just peeking out near his neck, and the way his snug-fitting black jeans hugged ironclad thighs that she knew from experience felt great against her body.
“Damn, woman! The first one’s gonna be a quickie. The way you’re looking at me should be illegal. I’m about to explode right here.”
Did he say something? She wondered, hearing nothing but mumbling as her breathing grew rapid and her heart rate increased to what had to be an abnormal speed.
He crossed the room in a flash, and she took a few steps to the left as Johnny dodged the coffee table before pulling her into an embrace. Passion led the way as he covered her lips while disposing of her clothing. It was a race against time, and they competed touch for touch, suck for suck. When he released her swollen lips, he placed a warm, large hand against the back of her neck under her hair before touching forehead to forehead.
Breathless, he spoke to her.
“Darlin’, we got one hour and seven minutes before the town meeting and I’m planning on using that time accordingly.”
Julianna giggled.
The next second, sh
e was naked, over his shoulder, as he paraded her through the house and into her bedroom.
* * * *
Julianna was so turned on, and her body wasn’t shy about showing it. Johnny licked, kissed, sucked, and savored every inch of her flesh from her toes to her lips while she squirmed in delight. The sensations were overwhelming, and before he touched her more intimately, she had exploded in ecstasy.
He stared down at her after another onslaught of orgasmic releases.
“I can’t take it,” he exclaimed, sliding her thighs further apart and entering her in one apparently excruciating thrust. His crinkled facial expression and determined look displayed that Johnny needed to be inside of her just as much as she needed him there.
Julianna grabbed a hold of his neck and shoulders as his lips crashed down upon her own. It was incredibly fast paced. Every touch, every kiss, every sensation built up inside of her so quickly she didn’t care how short it was, just how good it felt.
Johnny called out her name and grunted against her neck before one final thrust and release. He held her tight, and she tried to catch her breath despite the weight of his body. As if sensing her struggle, he raised himself on shaky forearms but still remained connected below.
“I warned you, darlin’. That was amazing.” He kissed her again before taking her along with him as he moved to lie on his side.
Julianna snuggled closer, closing her eyes as they both regained their normal breathing.
* * * *
A short while later, she felt Johnny’s fingertips gently caressing her hip bone. As she tilted her head up towards his eyes, he smiled and her heart soared.
She had it bad. Really bad, and the nervous sensations filled her core. She questioned everything all over again despite her promise to herself to wait and see.
Johnny pulled her hips against his own, and she knew he was ready to make love to her again, more slowly this time.
“What’s a matter, baby? You look a little unsure.”
She looked away and let her hands glide over his pectoral muscles then back down and around his waist.
“Nothing,” she lied and hoped he would take her mind off of the negative thoughts and just love her again. In his arms, and with him inside of her, was when she felt most safe and most content.