The Country Doctor's Bride (Historical West - The Cowboys of Naked Bluff, Texas series Book 6)

by Anita Philmar

  Dixy inspected the worn material. Yes, she’d borrowed it from Nathaniel’s sisters, but she considered it to be in good shape. Why did Gab find it so repulsive?

  “Don’t worry about him.” John edged closer and kissed the side of her neck. His hands ran over the front buttons of her dress. “We need to draw this out as long as we can.”

  She closed her eyes and silently prayed her husband would find them. If his visit with Deputy Kildare hadn’t taken a lengthy amount of time, maybe he’d be back on his way home?

  With her top lying open, John worked it down her arms and again let it drop to the floor.

  “John, you need to stand behind her. I want to get the full picture of her standing naked in front of me.” Gab stood and pulled his chair closer.

  After kicking her clothes to one side, John wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her against his chest. His alluring heat caressed her back, and she leaned into him, fighting to keep her gaze off Gab.

  “Remove her camisole so I can see her luscious tits.” He settled again in his chair, his heated stare locked on her chest.

  Not arguing, John tugged the fabric from the waistband of her skirt and lifted it up over her head. The second she broke free of its hold, she dropped her hands and set them over her breasts.

  “Now, now, there’s no reason to be shy. I’ve seen better. We’re only doing this to arrange the scene for the main event.” Gab caught her gaze and held it. The crude assault of his lustful leer sent a bolt of fear through her.

  She bit her lip, suddenly refusing to play the man’s game. “And how do—”

  “I’ll gladly tell you but first drop your hands.” A sinister smile formed on his lips.

  Fighting the urge to rebel, she slowly lowered her arms to her sides. Her skirt shifted on her hips, and John shoved it down her legs along with her bloomers.

  Shocked by the sudden exposure to a complete stranger, she gasped and covered her sex. The crisp hair tickled her palms, and she danced restlessly on her feet.

  “Stand still, Dixy, and I’ll get these clothes out of the way.” John wrapped a hand around her calf and held her steady.

  “Don’t bother. I like the look of her with her skirt circling her ankles,” Gab insisted. “You, John, need to help her relax.”

  “I don’t think...” Dixy noted how her captor shifted his legs farther apart, and the hard line of his cock lay framed against the material of his pants. Gab appeared to be doing this more for his enjoyment than to set up a romantic scene.

  Drawing her closer, John cupped his palms over her breasts and squeezed. “Dixy, sweetheart, close your eyes and think of how much you enjoy having my hands on you.”

  Not sure if she could endure anyone touching her at the moment, she leaned back into him and stared at the darkness behind her eyelids. She had to pretend to find pleasure in this crazy plan. Otherwise, she might not survive. Working to empty her mind, she concentrated on his touch.

  John brushed his lips across her shoulder while his hands toyed with her nipples. The light rubbing caused them to turn into hard points. Next, he plucked at them, pulling on them as if sucking them deep into his mouth. Need whispered along her nerve endings, and she shifted her hips. Her ass rubbed against his engorged erection.

  He nibbled on her neck and played in the small hollow behind her ear. Her body responded, and she rocked her head onto his shoulder. A low moan escaped between her lips.

  “That’s it, relax and let me take care of you,” John coaxed her along, giving her only pleasure and helping her forget where she was.

  “Finger-fuck her pussy,” Gab commanded.

  John trailed his hand over her stomach, and he nudged hers aside. “You are so incredibly soft and alluring. Any man would feel honored to touch you.”

  A fingertip ran over her intimate lips and teased the small bud hidden there. Again and again, he toyed with her clit, causing her body to heat. “Very good, sweetheart, you’re getting slick for me. Once you’re ready, I’ll slide a thick finger into your tight channel and prepare you for my cock.”

  His words had her rocking her hips. She imagined Nathaniel sitting in front of them. Would he enjoy John playing with her this way?

  Chapter Seventeen

  Knowing for certain her husband’s sexual preferences, she grabbed John’s thigh and worked her hand to the hard bulge against her ass. “I need more than a finger. I want this.”

  John groaned and plunged one finger deep into her pussy.

  She screamed and bucked against the single digit.

  “Oh, yes, she’s as big a slut as Tess. I knew she had to be if she liked you, John.” Gab’s words reminded Dixy of the man sitting in front of them, and her eyelids blinked open.

  Instantly, her gaze fell on the thick cock in his hand. Stroking and tugging on the length, he appeared to be pleasuring himself, while he monitored the action of John’s fingers playing with her pussy.

  A sudden wave of disgust surged through her, knocking the air from her lungs. She plunged forward, breaking free of John’s hold. Her knees hit the floor, followed quickly by her hands. Repulsion raced by the back of her throat, and she lost what she’d eaten for lunch.

  “Holy, shit.” Gab jumped to his feet.

  At the same instant, something slammed hard against the door, and it sprang open.

  As if time had slowed to a crawl, Dixy watched Gab spin around and lift his gun. Gunfire exploded through the room, deafening the shouts from the men entering the cabin, their guns smoking from the bullets rushing from the barrels.

  Hit from behind, she was thrown off-balance and fell to the floor. Panting to catch her breath, she waited for the heavyweight covering her back to shift and kept her head down hoping against hope that she’d live through this ordeal.

  Was Gab dead? John?

  And who had come to save them? Nathaniel? Deputy Kildare?

  After what seemed like an eternity, Deputy Kildare’s familiar voice drew her from her dark thoughts. “Come on, John. You can let her up now.”

  She lifted her head as soon as the weight holding her to the floor shifted. Her gaze landed immediately on her husband’s face. “Oh, God, Nathaniel.”

  He grabbed for her at the same time as she reached for him. Pulling her up, he enfolded her in his arms and held her taut against his chest. The thrill of knowing they were both safe had tears streaming down her cheeks. “Easy, baby, I got you.”

  She shifted restlessly against him, trying to get her footing. With her legs still tangled in her skirt and bloomers, she rocked aimlessly against him. “I can’t believe you found me.”

  Realizing her problem, Nathaniel swung her up into his arms, carried her to the bed, and set her on the soft surface. “Let’s wrap you up and free you from your clothes.”

  He ran his hand gently over her, checking for injuries before he wrapped the quilt tightly around her. After making sure she was completely covered, he untangled her skirt and bloomers from her ankles. “Did he hurt you in any way?”

  She shook her head and observed the other people in the room. John and Deputy Kildare were both kneeling beside Gab on the floor. Blood turned his white shirt a bright red. “Is he dead?”

  Nathaniel set a hand on her leg and squeezed. “Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He leaned in and kissed her. The quick kiss didn’t last long enough.

  She loosened her grip on the quilt and clutched her fingers around his jacket, not allowing him to shift away. “More.”

  He grinned and placed his lips over hers. This time, he dove deeper and plunged his tongue into her mouth. His hard, muscular chest covered hers and her breasts tingled. Need sizzled through her and stole her breath. Still, she didn’t pull back, couldn’t because she needed him more than she did air.

  Ready to faint, she gasped when he lifted his mouth from hers. His hips shifted against her as he moved to stand. “I’ll be right back. I need to see if I can help.”

  “Don’t bother. He’s dead.” Deputy Kild
are came strolling toward them. “Sorry, Dixy, but I have to ask you a few questions.”

  Darting her gaze to John, she wondered what he’d told the deputy. “I’m not sure I can tell you much more than John has.”

  “Maybe, but I still need to hear your side of the story.” Deputy Kildare paused by the bed.

  Feeling at a disadvantage with him standing above her, she gripped her husband’s hand. “Help me sit up.”

  Expecting him to pull her into a sitting position, she squealed when he scooped her up in his arms and set her on his lap.

  “Okay, Bo, what do you want to know?” Nathaniel wrapped his arms around her and held her tight against his chest.

  Soothed by his warmth, she leaned against him and glanced at the deputy. “There’s not much to tell other than Gab wanted to kill us.”

  “Why? Did you know he killed Tobias?” Deputy Kildare pulled a slip of paper from the pocket of his coat along with a pencil.

  “No, not until he stopped John and me at the house. As soon as I heard his voice, I recognized it, but didn’t associate the two until Gab drew his gun.” Dixy shot a look at the dead man on the floor and shuttered. He had wanted her dead.

  “Did he tell you why he killed Tobias?”

  “Only that he had to make sure certain parties wouldn’t be upset with him. But he didn’t provide us with any names.” Luckily, she couldn’t be used to testify against any other criminals. After what happened to Chipita, she never wanted to step inside another courtroom again.

  He glanced around at the cabin. “Why did Gab bring you here?”

  She gripped Nathaniel’s hand where it lay on her leg. “He planned to make it look like John and I were lovers. He somehow thought that if we were found dead in each other’s arms, it’d appear as if we had a lover spat.”

  The deputy shifted his focus to where John still stood by Gab. “Are you two romantically involved?”

  “No,” she answered and hurried to explain. “But, Gab believed we were, because—”

  “It’s all right, Dixy, I already explained to Deputy Kildare my intimate relationship with Gab and Tess.” John strolled toward them. “It started out innocent enough. I needed a job, and Tess wanted more than what her husband alone could give her. After a few weeks, Gab decided to use me to do other small jobs. Then Tobias was shot, and Gab changed. Instead of participating in the fun Tess and I had arranged, he only watched.”

  John shook his head and pointed at the deputy. “That reminds me, he’s the one who told me Nathaniel was needed out at your house.”

  “But why?” Nathaniel shifted her on his lap, the tension in his body bleeding through the blanket.

  “I don’t know. I assumed to get you out of the way.” John stared at him for a moment before he turned to the deputy. “Do you want me to go with you when you tell Tess, um, Mrs. Van Pelt?”

  “That’s a good idea, but first, we’ll need to stop off in town and have the undertaker pick up Gab’s body.” Deputy Kildare straightened his shoulders and ran his gaze over her again. “By the way, thanks Dixy for dropping your glove on the trail.”

  She blinked. “I can’t say I can take much credit for doing it on purpose. I was so scared I must have dropped it by accident.”

  The deputy stuffed his notes in his pocket. “Well, whatever the reason, it helped find you. I’m also sure. I’ll have more questions for you. But until then, it’d probably be best if your husband carries you home.”

  She sighed in relief. “Thank you, I just want this day to be over.”

  The deputy smiled and nodded to Nathaniel. “Something tells me, you have a long way to go yet.”

  ****

  “I still don’t believe you’ve answered the question.”

  Nathaniel stood by the bedroom door and waited as his wife slipped on her robe. Almost in a trance, she walked bare-footed to the bed.

  Dixy brushed her fingers through her gorgeous hair and paused. “I already told you he wanted it to look like we killed each other in a lover’s spat.”

  “And how exactly did he plan to set it up where people would assume you two were lovers, other than of course having you naked?” He ran his gaze over her, almost seeing her hidden curves because of the sensual memories he had of loving her.

  She blushed and licked her lips. “I’m not sure.”

  “Give me your best guess.” He tightened his hands into knots, fighting not to lose his temper. Whatever happened in John’s cabin before they arrived, Nathaniel wanted to know every detail. Not only for his peace of mine but because it’d also help Dixy recover from the traumatic episode.

  After a quick glance in his direction, she stepped to the dresser, lifted her hairbrush, and tugged it through her hair. “I assume he planned to make one or more of us come.”

  His patience stretched to the limit, he stalked to her and grabbed the brush from her hand. “Are you telling me one or both of those men fucked you?”

  Her eyes flew wide open, and she reeled back as if he’d hit her. “No, just seeing Gab play with his cock made me sick.”

  Fury raced through Nathaniel. The idea of them touching her without his permission had him ready to spit nails. He had to know what happened. Even if, she might not be ready to tell him everything, he couldn’t live with not knowing.

  After tossing the brush aside, he cupped a hand around her arm, directed her to the bed and forced her to sit down. “Then walked me through every detail.”

  “Other than me getting sick? Because you and Deputy Kildare arrived not long after that,” she said and wiggled away from him.

  That insignificant movement set his nerves on alert. He dove for her and pinned her against the mattress without giving conscious thoughts to his action. “Dixy quit stalling.”

  “I’m not trying to,” she stuttered, “hide anything. It’s just that I had to pretend to enjoy it when John played with my...”

  “Your nipples?” His gaze stayed locked on her face. He covered her breast with one hand and squeezed. The rich bounty of her body tempted his senses, causing the pressure in his groin to build.

  “Yes, he was standing behind me while Gab sat in front of us.” A shutter raced through her.

  Nathaniel rolled onto his side and untied the knot at her waist. His fingers slid under the edge of her robe and encountered fabric. He lifted up enough to study the white satin corset he’d asked her to buy from the general store. Toying with the lace that cupped her breasts, he fingered the ribbing in the sexy garment to the soft skin of her stomach. “Where else did he play?”

  She captured his wrist and directed his hand lower. “Mr. Van Pelt wanted him to finger-fuck me.” She bit her lip, and a tiny sob broke through.

  Unwilling to let the ugly memories of what happen today haunt her, Nathaniel rubbed his fingers through the silken curls covering her mound and marveled how the corset framed her lush breasts. “Did either of them get a taste of your cream?”

  She shook her head and shuttered. “No, I was trying to enjoy John’s touch when I opened my eyes to see Gab tugging on his cock, and it made me sick.”

  “And then we broke through the door?”

  “Yes.”

  He studied her face, working to determine if she’d explained every detail of what happened. “That’s it? You have nothing else to tell me?”

  She nibbled on her lips and studied his chin. “Well, except I, uh...couldn’t help thinking, that was until I looked at him, that...”

  “Spit it out, Dixy.” He eased his hand lower and covered her heat.

  A needy moan escaped her. With a slight tilt of her hips, she silently begged for more of his touch. “I thought about you.”

  The rage inside him settled. She might have been with two other men, but she wanted only him. He was her husband, and she looked to him for security, but she also needed him to give her pleasure and satisfy her hunger for a man. “Go on tell me what you were thinking?”

  “It’s just I kept picturing you in front of Jo
hn and I telling us what to do while you watched. And I...” She shut him out by closing her eyes.

  He leaned forward and kissed her. “You liked the idea?”

  Blinking, she stared at him and bit her lip before responding, “Yes, but it made me ache for you.”

  Dipping a finger into her slick pussy, he ran his thumb over her clit. “And now you think you’re a wicked woman?”

  “No, I know I’m naughty when it comes to you. But even though I enjoyed what we did with John yesterday, I don’t want anyone besides you to ever touch me again.” Her hand tightened on his. She stared at him beseechingly. “Is that too much to ask?”

  Chapter Eighteen

  “Not after what you’ve been through, I’d be surprised if you’d feel safe with anyone other than me.” He leaned forward and offered her a quick kiss. “I can’t say I ever want another man to set his hands on you either. I’m perfectly happy keeping you to myself, especially with you deck out in this sleek outfit.”

  A teasing smile formed on her lips. She combed her fingers through his chest hair until she found his nipples and plucked at the small tips. “Good, because I need you so much, right now.”

  “Is that a fact?” He rose above her and gawked at her luscious body. A primal response called to him, demanding he reclaimed her as his wife, his mate, his...everything. Running his hands across her stomach, he parted her thighs and stared at the pink lips of her pussy. A wild hunger raced through him. He dropped to the floor. Severe need whittled his desires down to one overwhelming compulsion. “Good, because I want a taste of you.”

  He draped her legs over his shoulders and covered her moist heat with his mouth. After a long sweeping caress, he dipped his tongue into her wet channel. The mind-numbing flavor of her honey-laden heat had him ready to come. He only managed to maintain his willpower by focusing his attention on her clit. Once she came, he’d enjoy her cream before burying his cock ball deep inside her pulsating twat. Or—another thought suddenly occurred to him.

  Wrapping his lips around the small bud, he sucked it deep into his mouth and dipped one finger in her slick juices. After a light thrust, he probed her back hole. Was today a good time to explore that virgin territory?