Wild Western Women Mistletoe, Montana: Sweet Western Historical Holiday Box Set

by Caroline Clemmons

  Suddenly he leaped from the bed and shucked his pants, his long johns. Naked, he sank down onto the bed.

  "Are you sure?" he asked, while he proceeded to nibble on her neck, his lips hot and moist against the curve of her shoulder, making her even hotter.

  She pulled him down for another demanding kiss, showing him what she could not say.

  Finally, she released him and he chuckled, his voice low and deep. "Thank goodness."

  Lifting the edge of her nightgown, he pulled the silken garment over her head, tossing it aside. Reaching inside her pantaloons, he pushed them down and she kicked them to the floor, knowing there was no turning back. His mouth closed over her nipple, lingering on her breast, he pulled the kernel into the feverish cavern of his mouth, lavishing his tongue around her puckered nipple, suckling until she was moaning and clinging to him, her body in flames. His hand trailed down her chest, across her stomach, his hands plundering her body, touching the very core of her femininity, leaving her gasping and frantic for something she'd never experienced.

  With a gasp, she cried out, "Seth."

  Sliding his solid body up hers, she felt the heat and hardness of his naked skin gliding across her own. Where he was strong, she was soft, where he was hard, she was silk.

  Maybe this was wrong, but it felt so right and her reputation...it was in tatters, what did it matter? Reaching up, she trailed her fingers down his face. Like a blind man, she memorized the hard planes of his features, the scratchiness of his cheeks, the fullness of his lips, the heat in his gaze that burned her to her very core.

  This man had taken care of her, he'd fed her, and now...like a punch to the gut, she realized she loved him. During the many days they'd stayed together, during the blizzards, her illness, through it all, he'd been by her side and eventually won her heart.

  Pushing her legs apart, he settled between her thighs, the heat of his erection against her center and she lifted her hips, eager to give all of herself to him.

  Pulling him closer, she embraced him just as she felt him push into her. With a sharp pain, her maidenhead broke and she gave him her body, her heart, and her soul. Pressing inside her, he committed himself to his passion, possessing her completely.

  When she thought she'd never love again, she'd fallen for a rancher in the wilds of Montana. What did she do now?

  Seth woke before dawn, naked, curled next to Everleigh. Memories from the night before filled his mind, shaking him to his very core. What the hell had he done?

  The memory of the wolves, attacking his cattle came rushing back, and the fear that gripped him as he stood in the snow, as not one, but two of the animals charged him. Hungry, they'd seen him as their next meal. And Everleigh had been a welcoming spirit when he'd come in from the cold. Her womanly body had warmed him, comforted him, and been an anchor in the storm.

  For over a week, he'd kept his distance from her, protecting his heart and trying to dull the attraction he felt toward this woman, but last night, the attack on his calves opened his eyes. Standing in front of a charging wolf, knowing if his aim was off even a little, he’d never see the woman he cared for again, did things to a man. Made him realize that life was fleeting and could be gone in an instant.

  Like a stack of dominoes, she'd easily toppled his willpower, his convictions, and captured his heart and soul.

  But now they had done what everyone in town would accuse them of doing and yet he didn't regret spending the night in Everleigh's arms. But she'd been a virgin. An innocent and he'd deflowered her. If her uncle found out, he'd force him to marry her. Never had he dreamed of a shotgun wedding, but her uncle had every right to demand one.

  And he should marry her. They could have created a child last night. His child.

  If only Everleigh wanted to marry him. He would take her hand in marriage in a heartbeat. But her dream was that fancy job she was starting in January. She wanted to return to the big city and be a career woman.

  He wanted to grow his spread here in Montana, increase his herd and live his life in this wild land. This was his destiny. His place. And no big city could ever give him the life he wanted.

  His heart ached at the thought of leaving Montana, but even more knowing that Everleigh would soon be returning to New York. And taking part of him with her.

  Catherine had broken his heart when she'd stood him up at the altar, but Everleigh leaving would be even worse. For though he'd thought he loved Catherine, Everleigh was so much more. She was adventurous, fun, and would make some man a terrific help mate. But not him.

  And for some reason, that made him sad. Lifting his arm from around her, he knew he had to get away. If the snow had stopped and the sun was shining, he would take her to her uncle’s today. Just as soon as the sun rose, he would hitch the sleigh and put as much distance as possible between them. Enough that maybe in time, his heart would heal.

  But even now he wanted another night in her arms.

  The warmth she had experienced all night long, was gone. Groggily, she rolled over, her eyes flying open as she realized Seth was no longer beside her in bed. Smiling, she remembered the night before. The wolves, the fear, the passion, and the realization that she loved this man came crashing back like an avalanche.

  Unable to wait another minute to see Seth, she jumped out of bed, her feet touching the cold floor. Where was he? Why had he left the bed? Why was he no longer beside her?

  Slipping on her slippers and nightgown, she opened the door of the bedroom and glanced into the living area. He paced the floor.

  Walking up behind him, she laid her hand on his shoulder, loving the feel of the hard muscles beneath her palm. He halted, his muscles stiffening beneath her touch.

  "Good morning," she said, smiling, feeling like nothing could destroy her happiness. She loved this man. She loved the way he made her feel. She loved his strong protective nature and the way he took care of her. All of her plans on her big city career didn't seem quite as appealing as Seth.

  "Morning," he said, halting in front of the fire. He ran his hand through his hair. "I'm glad you're up. I think we should get an early start this morning. I need to take you to your uncle."

  Frowning, she glanced at him, watching him once again pace in front of the fireplace. Was he regretting what had happened between them last night? Had it meant nothing to him?

  At the thought of him feeling remorse at their actions, her chest squeezed with a painful tightness that sent chills through her.

  "What's the big hurry?" she asked.

  His eyes met hers and she could see the uneasiness reflected from deep within him. "I...I thought you would want to be with them as soon as possible?"

  "I do," she said. "But after last night..."

  Glancing away, he sighed heavily and halted his nervous pacing. "Last night should never have happened. I was wrong to let things get out of hand."

  Rage roared through her and tears pricked her eyes and emotions filled her throat. So he did have misgivings about their sweet union. She was in love with him and he suddenly thought of his morals. Heck of a time to have regrets over his actions. Well, fiddlesticks, she couldn't let him see the disappointment and hurt that flooded her soul.

  Tilting her head, she tried to think how best to respond. "You are right. Last night was a mistake. Every girl feels bitterness over giving her virginity to the wrong man. Please take me to my uncle’s. I'm tired of staying here in this shack you call a home."

  She wanted to hurt him like he'd hurt her. She wanted to make him feel small and cheap and everything that rushed like a flood through her veins.

  "Yes, ma'am. I'll get the sleigh out and get you to your uncle's."

  Striding toward the door, he grabbed his coat and hat and hurried out. She didn't even feel the blast of cold air that filled the room. What had she done? She'd given herself to a man who didn't have emotions. Who cared nothing about her feelings and just wanted her to vacate his home. Once again, he was back to disliking her and she'd given hers
elf to him.

  The tears she'd kept at bay flooded down her cheeks and she hastily swiped them away. While she was falling in love with him, he'd suddenly rationalized that they shouldn't have shared passion last night.

  Well, that left a hole the size of the Grand Canyon in her chest.

  Walking into the bedroom, she changed into a dress, then threw her things in her trunk. Why had she ever decided to come to this God forsaken country? Why hadn't she gone to Texas, instead, and seen her friends? Why was she feeling so lost and helpless, and she hated those emotions. She was a strong woman, and by golly, he was not going to get away with acting this way. He may not love her, he may not want her, but he was not going to brush her off and rush her out the door.

  Standing, she went into the front room, pulled on her coat and went to the barn. The sky was cloudy, but snow no longer fell. A blast of cold air hit her and she shriveled inside, trying to hold onto the warmth she’d just left.

  Seth was standing between the house and barn, staring at the sky.

  "Seth Ketchum," she called as she marched, uncaring, through the snow, her skirt becoming coated with the white powder.

  "What are you doing out here? Wait inside until I'm ready to go."

  "You are not going to brush me off and treat me like one of your saloon girl trollops."

  His mouth curled into a frown and he whirled around to face her. "What are you talking about?"

  All the hurt and anger boiled over at the thought he hadn't enjoyed being with her. She loved him and he was not going to toss her aside.

  She reached him and pushed her index finger into his chest. "I am not ashamed of what happened between us last night." She pushed her finger into his chest again. "If that makes me a trollop, fine." She poked his chest again. "But don't you ever try to make me feel dirty or ashamed of what happened between us. It was beautiful and wonderful and..."

  His mouth slammed down on hers, driving the air from her lungs as he kissed her until she felt faint. Lifting her head, she eagerly gave up to his possession, the feel of his body tightly against her own, his loins pressed into her hard and strong. If the man hadn't enjoyed last night, she certainly couldn't tell from his kiss.

  Blood rushed through her, her heart pounded inside her chest, her center warming with all the passion she'd felt last night as she wound her arms around his neck. Whatever had made him skittish was certainly not because the fire that burned between them had cooled.

  Finally their lips came apart and she stood in the circle of his arms, her breathing ragged, her chest tight.

  "You don't kiss me like you didn't care what we shared," she whispered.

  "Last night was great. Too great," he said staring at her, his breath frosting the air. "If I don't take you to your uncle's, we'll soon find ourselves in bed again. You could get pregnant. We'll be forced to marry. All your dreams of your big city job would come to an end. Is that what you want?"

  Irritation at the truth of his words left her frustrated. She didn't know what she wanted anymore. Reaching out she shoved him, sending his arms flailing.

  "Hey," he yelled as he grabbed onto her and pulled her down with him.

  They landed with a thud onto the soft snow with him on bottom and her on top. He rolled her onto her back, his long, lean body stretched on top of her, his face inches from her own.

  "Seth," she whispered, feeling every hard inch of him.

  "Everleigh, I swear, you're going to be the death of me yet," he whispered against her neck, his mouth lingering.

  She tilted her head further back, giving his lips more access to her throat, the warmth of his breath creating shivers of desire pulsing through her.

  "You're taking me to my uncle's today," she said, her chest swelling in pain at the thought of being separated from him, but knowing that eventually the time would come for them to part. She had a job to return to and he would stay here in this cold, snowy land.

  "The sky isn't clear. I was thinking maybe we would go tomorrow. Today, you could help me feed the cattle that aren't too far from the house. We'll have to keep an eye on the sky to make certain the weather doesn't change, but I could use your help."

  She was being given another day with this man she loved. Another day, before they would have to separate and go their own way. One more day to make a lifetime of memories. One more day to decide what she really wanted in life. A life with Seth or to return to her existence in New York.

  "Can we get a Christmas tree?"

  "What?" he asked, his face scrunched up.

  "You know. A small pine tree that we can decorate tonight for Christmas. You don't have any decorations out and well...it's a special time of year."

  "I live alone. I didn't see the need for a tree."

  "True. But right now, you aren't alone."

  With a shrug, he rolled off of her. "All right, but I don't have any store-bought tinsel or ornaments."

  "We'll make our own," she said as he gave her a hand up from the snow.

  She glanced down at the snow that covered her clothes. "You always seem to find a way to get me wet."

  "I like the looks of you wet and snowy, or even better, without clothes," he said and walked away.

  For a moment, she stood stunned as a heat rushed to her cheekbones. The man knew just the right words to make her hotter than the Fourth of July in a blizzard.

  Chapter 7

  He was in so much trouble. First, he'd let his passion get away from him and he'd spent the night in Everleigh's arms. Then this morning instead of taking her to her uncle's house, he'd thought just one more day. One more day to spend in her arms before he'd let her go permanently.

  So he'd convinced himself they should wait until tomorrow. This afternoon the sun had come out and he knew he could no longer put off what needed doing.

  Christmas was in three days and he'd let her persuade him they needed a tree. He was a bachelor. Now, she had him cutting out paper snowflakes to decorate the Christmas tree and remembering Christmases past.

  What had he done? During the days she'd been here, he'd gone from a tough man who lived alone to a man who only wanted to please Everleigh. She was turning him into one of those men who doted on their woman. And God, he would love for Everleigh to be his woman in every sense, but knew that was impossible.

  Everleigh was a beautiful, strong-willed, determined woman with a career. She wasn't looking for a husband or a family or any of the things he desired. They were polar opposites and yet none of that seemed to matter. All he knew was he wanted her and not long after Christmas, she would be catching the train to New York and her fancy job. Leaving him behind, and if he wasn't careful, with a shattered heart.

  What had he been thinking last night? Yet, she was right. It had been a wonderful experience and it was going to be hard to keep his hands to himself. Just once more he'd like to find himself wrapped in her embrace, enjoying the lingering kisses, the heavy throb of his blood, her soft moans that ignited his desire. But he was playing with fire and already suffered from being singed. Tomorrow, he had to make certain she left.

  "Seth, look," she cried as she managed to place a makeshift star on top of the tree. "At home, we decorated our tree all together and at the end of the evening, my father put the star on top." She sighed, her eyes filling with tears. "Nothing will ever be the same, will it?"

  Memories of Christmas with his family, his mother decorating and his brothers and sisters and his father all gathered together around the table, stabbed his heart with a homesickness he hadn't felt since he left Oregon. Even change for the better could leave you missing what you'd left behind.

  "No," he said truthfully. "But you'll always have your memories."

  "I didn't know what I had until they were gone," she said.

  Leaving Oregon, he'd known he'd miss his family, but hadn't realized how much until he was in Montana. Sure, he could go back, but his life was here and maybe it was time he created his own family and made memories with his wife and future ch
ildren. Gazing at Everleigh, he wondered about her. There was so much he didn't know about the beautiful woman who intrigued him. If only she wasn't so intent on returning to New York. Could something besides the job be drawing her back to the big city.

  "Why weren't you at the apartment the night of the accident?" he asked. His sister Grace would have been home at the time of the explosion. Why wasn't Everleigh?

  She laughed a sardonic sound and shook her head. "Because I was out with my fiancé. The man I was supposed to marry, only he chose that night to end our relationship. Seemed he didn't think I was ready for marriage," she snorted. "But Kelsey Jones was ready and he married her not six weeks after we ended our engagement."

  Was this man the reason she was returning to New York? But he was married.

  "Did you love him," he asked, his feelings mixed regardless of how she responded. He didn't want her to love another man.

  "At the time, I thought so. But now, I'm not so certain," she answered honestly as she hung another snowflake on the tree.

  "Don't you think you were better off that he ended the engagement before you married him?"

  "Yes, but I was in shock coming home to the block surrounded by firemen and police, no home and no place to go, and worst of all, no family. I lost everything that night," she said, her voice cracking. "It would have been nice to have someone to lean on during that difficult time. I had no one. Not even my aunt and uncle."

  "I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd lost so much in one night," he said, watching the expression on her face, wanting to go to her, pull her into his arms and tell her it was all right. "What did you do?"

  Biting her lip, she turned back to the tree and hung the snowflake he'd created on a branch. Then she faced him. "I went to a friend's house who took me in. For the next two weeks, I was busy with funeral arrangements, the wills, searching through the rubble for anything left."

  "What did you find?" he asked, thinking it was a morbid question, but curious if she found anything that would give her comfort.