by Sandy James
Drake lifted one of the quilts from his pallet and draped it around Kayla’s shoulders. Taking her hand, he led her to his mattress. Then he sat, pulling her down to sit on his lap.
She pushed his shoulders down and straddled his hips as he awkwardly tried to cover them with the quilt. “We’re gonna freeze.”
“Maybe so,” she admitted. “But we shall die happy, happy people.”
Unbuttoning his long johns, she separated the sides and slid her hand down his furry chest. “You are so masculine,” she murmured before leaning down to flick her tongue against one puckered nipple.
Now, entirely buried by the thick quilt, Kayla helped him shrug out of the top of his undergarment and then pushed it past his hips as he raised his pelvis off the mattress. Having very little light was erotic, and feeling her way around his body excited her.
Her fingertips brushed his abdomen, finding firm muscle that quivered at her touch. A line of soft hair led her to the prize that she sought. She wrapped her fingers around his thick cock, loving how firm and hot it was.
“Kayla, darlin’,” he whispered as she used her hand to glide up and down his length. “I want you. Bad.”
“I want you too,” she admitted. Yet when he put his hands on her hips and tried to guide her to lie down, she resisted.
“Kayla?”
“Let me be in charge. This time, I want to please you.”
Drake uttered what probably would’ve been a protest, but what he might’ve said ended on a hiss of inhaled air when her lips touched the tip of his erection.
Emboldened, Kayla licked his length and then used the tip of her tongue to tease the crown. The salty taste of his skin pleased her, as did the way he grew even harder.
He laced his fingers through her hair, giving light tugs every time she put her tongue or lips against his cock. When she finally granted him quarter and took him inside her mouth, he let out another hiss and rocked his hips up.
The power she felt at being in charge of their intimacy was intoxicating. She felt her core growing wet and hot. He hadn’t even put his hands on her yet, and she was nearly frantic to have him inside her.
Drake was on fire. Kayla had always been a great lover, and he’d enjoyed teaching her not only what pleased him but what pleased her. Having her take the lead had sent heat through every part of him, and he knew she had no idea of how excited she was making him.
Each time they made love, he seemed to discover something new that she liked. This time, though, she was the one on the quest of discovery, and each action, each confident movement, made him want her more.
“Kayla…” He gently pulled on her hair. “I can’t take much more.”
“No?” Her warm tongue caressed the head of his cock. “Grit your teeth, love, and hold on tight.” She took his entire length inside her mouth.
He almost came right then and there. “Sweet lord.”
Kayla gave him a wanton chuckle before rising over him and kissing him long and deep.
Drake wrapped his arms around her, and he quickly realized he was guiding her hips to a place where he could take advantage of the slit in her pantaloons to thrust himself inside her. “I want you. Now.”
After another long kiss, she shifted from his lips to the side of his neck. Stinging nips were followed by soothing licks. No doubt she would be leaving love bites on his skin, but he cared little if the others saw proof of her being his lover. They had to know anyway. Each look she gave him and each longing glance he returned had to scream the knowledge to the world.
If only he were the kind of man who could take her to wife… He wasn’t, but the mere thought of another man holding her, loving her, made his need to be inside her greater than he could bear.
She was his. Now and forever.
“Now, Kayla. Please.”
Granting him mercy, she straddled him, guiding him past the soft material of her undergarment, through the opening, and to her entrance. Pushing down with her hips, she took him deep into her warmth.
There was no finesse to their coupling, no more sweetness and teasing. She rode him hard and he answered with deep thrusts in their race to reach fulfillment.
Drake came first, spilling himself with a near shout. Not wanting to leave her behind, he kept pushing himself into Kayla as she leaned forward to grind her hips against him. Her back suddenly arched, and then her body tightened around his cock. The quilt had fallen back with her, and she looked so beautiful to him. Her eyes were closed, and her head had dropped back. There was a knowing smile on her face, and she was the sexiest thing he’d ever seen in her lacy camisole, riding him as though he were a bucking bronco.
The cold chilled his damp skin, so he eased out of her and helped her roll to his side. After he wiggled his long johns back on, he lay down, tucked her up under his arm, and jerked the quilt back over them.
“I wish we could sleep in a proper bed,” he whispered before kissing the top of her head. “You shouldn’t sleep on the floor of a barn loft.”
“I am quite comfortable, thank you. And after such a grand experience, I believe I could sleep outside in the snow and it wouldn’t bother me a whit.” Her knee rose to drape over his thighs. “We could be quite bold and tell Drew and Gideon that we wish to share my room from now on.”
Drake let out a derisive snort. “I’m sure they’d love that idea.” He kissed her head again. Although that was what he would love most, sharing a room with her and everyone knowing she belonged to him, he wouldn’t ruin her like that. “Besides, you’re so loud when I love you that—”
She playfully swatted his chest. “I am not loud.”
“You spooked the horses.”
Another swat. “For shame, Drake. Besides…you probably woke both Drew and Gideon with your shout. I fear Brigit may suddenly come up the ladder to check on us.”
He laughed at that image. Using his best Irish brogue, he said, “Dear Jaysus, I heard such a ruckus that I come runnin’ to check on ye! Are ye wee ones well?”
This time, she just laughed at his teasing. “Get some sleep, love. I shall slip back inside before dawn. Never fear! I will protect your reputation at all costs.”
Drake fell asleep with a smile on his lips.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Two Months Later—April 1887
Kayla could almost smell spring in the air. While there still might be snow covering the ground, she caught a faint whiff of hope and renewal and wondered how long it would be before she could rejoice at seeing the budding of her early crocuses breaking through their snowy blanket to announce the changing of seasons.
The town was awash in dirty snow and mud, and traveling had been slow. Brigit drove the wagon as though born to the task, managing to avoid getting them stuck into any of the deep ruts along the road to town. Since the men had chores and hadn’t accompanied them, the women would’ve been hard pressed getting the wagon out of the mud. If supplies hadn’t dwindled so low, Kayla would have been tempted to wait another week to head to White Pines.
“I shall check on the mail,” she said to Brigit. “Why don’t you go ahead to the store to look for that fabric we wanted for the curtains in your room?”
“I wish Master Drew…er…Drew wouldnae spend the money on me,” Brigit replied. It had taken her weeks before she stopped calling the men “master,” but each time she used their simple names, she seemed to settle in a little more to her new place in their “family.”
Family. Together with Drew, Gideon, Brigit, and Drake—especially Drake—Kayla felt as though they formed a tribe that not only complemented each other but shared genuine affection. No doubt the townsfolks would think them an odd group, and there was surely mountain of gossip about three men being alone with two women. Kayla couldn’t have cared less what the people of White Pines thought. Let the old biddies talk behind their hands and swish their skirts when she walked by. They could never know how long she’d waited for a place to belong.
For a home. A real home.
Yet she knew that when she watched him ride away, her new “family” would help her through. She would survive. But for now, she would keep finding ways to go to him in the night, make love with him, and then sleep in his embrace. There would be many cherished memories she could cling to on the cold, lonely nights to come.
Kayla was humming to herself as she headed toward the marshal’s office. A small addition had been erected the previous August, and it now served as the town’s post office. The bell above the door rang as she let herself in. Stepping up to the counter, she called out a greeting. “Good morning, Mrs. Pike.”
The fifty-something woman who was sorting through a burlap bag of mail glanced over her shoulder. “If’n you say it is. Got me four bags of letters on this morning’s stage after pert near two weeks of nothin’. I swear I’ll be workin’ on this all day.”
Since the woman was known to be a bit of a grumbler, Kayla tossed her an understanding nod. “I am sorry to take you away from your important work, but I would like to know if there are any messages for Mr. Pearson, Mr. Young, or Mr. Myers.” She quickly added, “Or Brigit. Miss Brigit Ryan. She might have received more messages from her brothers.”
Straightening, Mrs. Pike put her hands against the small of her back and groaned. “I’ll have to check. My memory ain’t what it used to be.” With another groan, she ambled over to the wall of wooden cubbies that held the sorted mail. After looking all around as though she couldn’t remember which niche belonged to which family, she finally stood on tiptoes to reach for a small pile of letters. Then she returned to the counter and handed them to Kayla. “Here you go, Miss Backer.”
“Thank you.” Kayla flipped through the letters. There was a thick envelope for Drew from his mother, and there were two missives for Brigit, which would make her very happy. Gideon had a message from his lawyer in Chicago and another from the man who managed a one of the buildings he owned in Billings. “I shall be sure these find the proper recipients.” She turned to leave and had her hand on the doorknob when Mrs. Pike’s voice stopped her.
“Did that man find you yet?”
Whirling back to face Mrs. Pike, Kayla frowned. Surely, she’d heard her wrong. “I beg your pardon?”
“That man. The one from New York City. Was here lookin’ for you. Had your pitcher with him.” She let out a barking laugh. “Not too bright that one, though. Didn’t even know your name. Called you Carolyn…something… Oh wait. Gimme a minute. Like I said, my memory ain’t what it used to be.”
“Carolyn Burton,” Kayla whispered.
Mrs. Pike snapped her fingers. “That’s it. That’s the one. You’ll be glad to know that I set him straight. Told him it was Kayla Backer and that you be livin’ out at Mr. Young’s farm. Figured he’d found you by now. Saw him over two weeks ago. Said he needed to tell someone ’bout where you were. Maybe that person’ll find you.”
Chantal Carrington has found me.
Nearly blind with panic, Kayla ran out of the post office, not even apologizing to the man she bumped into in her haste. All she could process was fear that Chantal was sending someone for her and that if she didn’t leave, she would die. Just like her father.
Drake. Dear God, Drake was sure to be killed if Chantal put that brute of a man-servant on Kayla’s trail.
And what about Drew, Gideon, and Brigit? Otto would never leave witnesses so that he could never be connected to the dirty deeds he committed for Chantal Carrington. If he came to the farm—a guarantee now that her location had been discovered—the people she loved were in danger.
There was only one choice.
To save her family, Kayla would have to run.
* * *
Drake knew something was wrong the moment he saw Kayla. He’d been working on her house, enjoying the warmth of the sun against his cheeks as he pounded a few more boards into place, when he saw the wagon moving down the road toward the farm. It never ceased to amaze him at how just knowing that she was near could make him smile.
But seeing how upset she was, he wasn’t smiling now. Brigit was animatedly talking to her, but all Kayla did in response was frown fiercely and keep shaking her head. He slung the hammer through the loop on the burlap tool apron Kayla had crafted for him and hurried over to help the women out of the wagon.
Kayla had climbed to the ground before he could get to her. When she started to hurry away, he followed her and grabbed her hand. “Whoa there, darlin’. What’s wrong?”
Brigit was the one to answer him as she threw the brake on the wagon. “She’s planning on leaving, that’s what.”
He frowned at Kayla as he turned her to face him. Hands on her shoulders, he asked again, “What’s wrong?”
Kayla tried to pull away. “I have to go. I have to.”
“Go where?” Keeping her anchored, he shook his head. “You ain’t going anywhere, ’specially not until you tell me what in the devil happened in town to have you so scared.”
“I have to go.”
He was surprised at how hard she was struggling to get away from him. “Kayla. Stop.” He let out a frustrated sigh. “Talk to me, love. Tell me where you have to go, and I’ll take you.”
When Kayla shook her head, he shifted his gaze to Brigit. “What’s going on?”
“Some man was looking for her,” Brigit replied. “A man with her picture, and that gossip Mrs. Pike told him that she be out here with Drew and Gideon.”
“What man?” Then it dawned on him. “Carrington.”
Kayla tried to pull away. “I have to go. Don’t you see? I have to leave. Now.”
“Stop, Kayla. Just stop.” Drake tried to embrace her but she quickly ducked under his arm and hurried toward the house. He caught her at the porch at the same time the door opened.
Drew stepped over the threshold, and after a quick look at everyone, he frowned. “What’s wrong?”
Hurrying from where she’d crawled down from the wagon, Brigit got to them. A bit out of breath, she said, “There was a man lookin’ for Kayla. Had a picture of her. Mrs. Pike told him where she be.”
“Carrington,” Drew said to Drake. Then he looked at Kayla. “What do you want to do, Kayla?”
“I want to leave.” Her eyes were full of fear when she let them capture Drake’s. “I have to leave. Don’t you see? Chantal Carrington has found me. If her man comes here, you’ll all be in danger.”
How like her to think of everyone else at the farm instead of herself. He wasn’t about to let her go. “You have to stay here, Kayla.”
Her eyes were filled with panic. “Have you lost your wits? Chantal will send her man. I cannot allow that.” Her gaze shifted from Drake to Drew and then to Brigit. “I cannot lose you. Any of you.”
Drew beckoned to Gideon, who had begun to unhitch the horses from the wagon. With a nod, Gideon jogged over to stand with them on the porch. A quick glance at the scene made him scowl. “What’s wrong? Y’all look like your dog just died.”
“I am done speaking of this,” Kayla insisted. “My only choice is to leave.”
“Leave?” Gideon’s scowl deepened. “What in the hell’s going on here?”
“Might I suggest,” Drew said in that “let’s be reasonable” voice he liked to use, “that we adjourn to the house, where we can all sit down and discuss this rationally.” He took her hand but she pulled it away.
Kayla shook her head. “You simply don’t understand. I have made up my mind, therefore we have nothing to discuss.”
As usual, Drew got his way. Too many times, Drake had seen that all the man had to do was take her hand again and keep staring into her eyes.
She finally huffed a frustrated sigh and let him lead her inside.
Relieved that they might be able to talk some sense into her, Drake followed.
* * *<
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None of them understood. Worse, no matter how hard Kayla tried to explain, not a one would agree with her plan to flee.
“Your stubbornness is going to get you hurt.” She folded her arms under her breasts, leaned back in her chair, and glared at them. While they had all touched her heart by insisting that she stay, she would never allow the Carrington evil to touch a single one of them.
Drake rose from the sofa to crouch in front of her. Then he placed his hands on her knees. “Kayla, look at me.”
Although she didn’t want to peer into those handsome eyes, she did as he asked. The affection she saw there was almost her undoing, but she refused to cry at everything she would lose.
Knowing she had to stand her ground, she put her hands over his. “Drake, I…I love you. I do. But I cannot stay.” There, she’d said it. In front of everyone. Maybe now he would understand that he meant too much to her to allow him to be in danger.
His gaze was filled with a tenderness that said very clearly how much he enjoyed her declaration. “Well, I ain’t gonna let you go.”
Her temper ignited. She pushed his hands away and stood. Wringing her own hands, she began to pace. “You don’t understand what she’s capable of. None of you have seen what I’ve seen.”
“I damn well do understand,” he countered. “You told me she had your pa killed.”
Gideon jumped to his feet. “What did you say?”
“Dear lord,” Drew said. “Kayla, is this true?”
Giving Drake a frown for spilling her secret, she said, “I fear it is. I did not wish to burden you and Gideon with my…problems.”
“Problems?” Drew swiped his hand over his face and then put his fists on his hips. “Your father was murdered, and you didn’t say a word?”